California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs California State University-Long Beach
Admission Difficulty: Cal Poly SLO is more selective with a 30.4% acceptance rate compared to CSU Long Beach's 40.0% acceptance rate, making Cal Poly considerably harder to enter.
Cost and Value: CSU Long Beach offers lower upfront costs with in-state tuition of $7,008 versus Cal Poly's $11,075. The average net price also favors Long Beach at $8,931 compared to Cal Poly's $15,624. However, Cal Poly graduates earn significantly more, with median 10-year earnings of $90,768 versus $64,403 at Long Beach.
Academic Strengths: Cal Poly SLO excels in engineering, agriculture, and architecture programs with strong industry connections. CSU Long Beach offers comprehensive programs across business, arts, education, and health sciences. Cal Poly's 95.2% retention rate substantially exceeds Long Beach's 85.3%, indicating higher student satisfaction.
Campus Experience: Cal Poly's smaller enrollment of 21,521 creates a more intimate environment compared to Long Beach's 34,131 students. Both maintain similar student-faculty ratios (18:1 vs 19:1) and compete in NCAA Division I athletics. Cal Poly's coastal location offers outdoor recreation opportunities, while Long Beach provides urban amenities and cultural diversity.
Outcomes: Cal Poly demonstrates superior graduation rates at 85.2% versus 69.9% at Long Beach. Cal Poly graduates carry slightly higher debt ($18,500 vs $14,289) but earn substantially more post-graduation.
Cal Poly suits students seeking rigorous STEM programs and willing to invest more for higher earning potential, while CSU Long Beach fits students prioritizing affordability and diverse academic options in an urban setting.
Admission Difficulty: Cal Poly SLO is more selective with a 30.4% acceptance rate compared to CSU Long Beach's 40.0% acceptance rate, making Cal Poly considerably harder to enter.
Cost and Value: CSU Long Beach offers lower upfront costs with in-state tuition of $7,008 versus Cal Poly's $11,075. The average net price also favors Long Beach at $8,931 compared to Cal Poly's $15,624. However, Cal Poly graduates earn significantly more, with median 10-year earnings of $90,768 versus $64,403 at Long Beach.
Academic Strengths: Cal Poly SLO excels in engineering, agriculture, and architecture programs with strong industry connections. CSU Long Beach offers comprehensive programs across business, arts, education, and health sciences. Cal Poly's 95.2% retention rate substantially exceeds Long Beach's 85.3%, indicating higher student satisfaction.
Campus Experience: Cal Poly's smaller enrollment of 21,521 creates a more intimate environment compared to Long Beach's 34,131 students. Both maintain similar student-faculty ratios (18:1 vs 19:1) and compete in NCAA Division I athletics. Cal Poly's coastal location offers outdoor recreation opportunities, while Long Beach provides urban amenities and cultural diversity.
Outcomes: Cal Poly demonstrates superior graduation rates at 85.2% versus 69.9% at Long Beach. Cal Poly graduates carry slightly higher debt ($18,500 vs $14,289) but earn substantially more post-graduation.
Cal Poly suits students seeking rigorous STEM programs and willing to invest more for higher earning potential, while CSU Long Beach fits students prioritizing affordability and diverse academic options in an urban setting.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California State University-Long Beach | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 30.4% | 40.0% |
| Enrollment | 21,521 | 34,131 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,075 | $7,008 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $30,995 | $18,888 |
| Net Price | $15,624 | $8,931 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.2% | 69.9% |
| Retention Rate | 95.2% | 85.3% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $90,768 | $64,403 |
| Median Debt | $18,500 | $14,289 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | California State University-Long Beach | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $120,462 | Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | $85,795 |
| Computer Engineering. | $93,964 | Construction Engineering Technologies. | $81,175 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | $82,780 | Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | $73,949 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $79,647 | Computer Engineering. | $68,499 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | $76,460 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $67,287 |
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