U of A vs. Cal Poly

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Arizona in Tucson, AZ with California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo in San Luis Obispo, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Arizona is larger than Cal Poly based on total student enrollment (56,365 students vs. 23,069 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Arizona is located in Tucson, AZ (Large City setting); California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is in San Luis Obispo, CA (Small Suburban setting).
• University of Arizona is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of Arizona 20:1; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 19:1.

U of A vs. Cal Poly Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, U of A or Cal Poly? 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 U of A ($17,453 vs. $19,055).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Arizona are 10.9% lower than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo ($16,746 vs. $18,792).
• University of Arizona is 2.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal Poly (about $330 more per year; $13,926.00 vs. $13,596.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 22% higher at U of A than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (about $7,613 more per year; $42,278.00 vs. $34,665.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Arizona than at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (95% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo students is 4.1% larger than aid received by University of Arizona students ($14,338 vs. $13,776).

U of A vs. Cal Poly Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, U of A or Cal Poly? 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 Cal Poly and U of A.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo (1320) is 30 points higher than at U of A (1290).
• Incoming Cal Poly students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at U of A).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 1150/1420; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 1220/1410.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of Arizona 21/29; California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo 26/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: U of A - Test optional; Cal Poly - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal Poly Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Cal Poly students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at U of A (3.48).
• U of A has a higher acceptance rate (86.1%) than Cal Poly (31.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 18.4% at U of A vs. 24.6% at Cal Poly.

U of A vs. Cal Poly Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for U of A and Cal Poly? 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).

• California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than University of Arizona's (61%).
• Graduates from California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo earn a median of about $15,400 more per year than U of A graduates about ten years after starting college ($69,400 vs. $54,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo graduates have a $334 lower median loan debt than U of A graduates ($18,666 vs. $19,000).
• Among borrowers, Cal Poly graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than U of A graduates ($193 vs. $196).
• More Cal Poly graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former U of A students, three years after graduation. (85% vs. 66%)

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.