Cal Poly vs. Westmont College

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo and Westmont College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo
Westmont College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Cal Poly (31.3% admitted vs 77%). Typical SAT 1320 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Cal Poly. Average net price is $17,453 vs $32,172 at Westmont College.
  • Graduation: Cal Poly 75% vs Westmont College 77%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Cal Poly $69,400 vs Westmont College $54,600 (median).
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Key differences

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo Westmont College
Acceptance rate
Cal Poly more selective
Cal Poly31.3%
Westmont College77%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Westmont College higher
Cal Poly1220-1410
Westmont College1240-1450
Average net price
Cal Poly $14,719 less
Cal Poly$17,453
Westmont College$32,172
In-state tuition
Cal Poly $39,988 less
Cal Poly$13,596
Westmont College$53,584
Out-of-state tuition
Cal Poly $18,919 less
Cal Poly$34,665
Westmont College$53,584
Graduation rate
Westmont College +2 pts
Cal Poly75%
Westmont College77%
Median earnings (10 years)
Cal Poly +$14,800
Cal Poly$69,400
Westmont College$54,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Cal Poly 68,371
  • Westmont College 2,479
  • Admitted
  • Cal Poly 21,416
  • Westmont College 1,910
  • Acceptance rate
  • Cal Poly 31.3%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Cal Poly 24.6%
  • Westmont College 15.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Cal Poly 1320
  • Westmont College 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Cal Poly 29
  • Westmont College 28
  • Average high school GPA
  • Cal Poly 4.0
  • Westmont College 3.59
  • Typical high school grades
  • Cal Poly A/A+
  • Westmont College A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Cal Poly Very High
  • Westmont College Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Cal Poly High
  • Westmont College
  • SAT range
  • Cal Poly 1220-1410
  • Westmont College 1240-1450
  • ACT range
  • Cal Poly 26-32
  • Westmont College 25-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Cal Poly Test-free
  • Westmont College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026
  • Westmont College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Cal Poly $13,596
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Cal Poly $34,665
  • Westmont College $53,584
  • Room & board
  • Cal Poly $18,792
  • Westmont College $16,960
  • Average net price
  • Cal Poly $17,453
  • Westmont College $32,172
  • Average grant aid
  • Cal Poly $14,338
  • Westmont College $38,956
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Cal Poly 48%
  • Westmont College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Cal Poly 75%
  • Westmont College 77%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Cal Poly $69,400
  • Westmont College $54,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Cal Poly 85%
  • Westmont College 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Cal Poly $18,666
  • Westmont College $25,123
  • Median loan payment
  • Cal Poly $193
  • Westmont College $259
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Cal Poly 19:1
  • Westmont College 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Cal Poly
    • Engineering (24%)
    • Business (15%)
    • Agriculture (15%)
    • Architecture (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (5%)
  • Westmont College
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (10%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Business (10%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • Location
  • Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, CA
  • Westmont College Santa Barbara, CA
  • Setting
  • Cal Poly Small Suburban
  • Westmont College Midsize Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Cal Poly 23,069
  • Westmont College 1,310
  • Type
  • Cal Poly Public 4 Year
  • Westmont College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Cal Poly #151
  • Westmont College #154

Comparable Facts

Compare California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA with Westmont College in Santa Barbara, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is larger than Westmont College based on total student enrollment (23,069 students vs. 1,310 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); Westmont College is in Santa Barbara, CA (Midsize Suburban setting).
  • California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Westmont College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1; Westmont College 10:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Westmont College are 9.7% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,960 vs. $18,792).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 54.6% higher at Westmont College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $18,919 more per year; $53,584 vs. $34,665).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Westmont College than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (100% vs. 48%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Westmont College students is 171.7% larger than aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students ($38,956 vs. $14,338).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Cal Poly than at Westmont College (29 vs. 28, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at Cal Poly, test optional at Westmont College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Cal Poly average a 4.0 high school GPA, 0.41 higher than at Westmont College (3.59).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 24.6% at Cal Poly vs. 15.9% at Westmont College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $6,457 lower median loan debt than Westmont College graduates ($18,666 vs. $25,123).
  • Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Westmont College graduates ($193 vs. $259).
  • More Westmont College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Cal Poly students, three years after graduation (86% vs. 85%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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