Cal Poly vs. Virginia Tech

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Tech is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (38,857 students vs. 23,069 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is located in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting); Virginia Tech is in Blacksburg, VA (Small City setting).
• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Tech is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Virginia Tech 17:1.

Cal Poly vs. Virginia Tech Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal Poly or Virginia Tech? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo than Virginia Tech ($17,453 vs. $24,912).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Tech are 11.9% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,550 vs. $18,792).
• Virginia Tech is 17.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $2,352 more per year; $15,948.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 8.9% higher at Virginia Tech than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $3,099 more per year; $37,764.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Virginia Tech than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (60% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 56.4% larger than aid received by Virginia Tech students ($14,338 vs. $9,168).

Cal Poly vs. Virginia Tech Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal Poly or Virginia Tech? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Virginia Tech and Cal Poly.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Tech (1370) is 50 points higher than at Cal Poly (1320).
• Incoming Virginia Tech students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 29 at Cal Poly).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410; Virginia Tech 1280/1450.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32; Virginia Tech 28/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal Poly - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Virginia Tech - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026; Virginia Tech Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at Virginia Tech (3.97).
• Virginia Tech has a higher acceptance rate (54.8%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 25.3% at Virginia Tech.

Cal Poly vs. Virginia Tech Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal Poly and Virginia Tech? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Virginia Tech's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's (75%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than Virginia Tech graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $65,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $5,300 lower median loan debt than Virginia Tech graduates ($18,666 vs. $23,966).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $54 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Virginia Tech graduates ($193 vs. $247).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Virginia Tech students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 81%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.