Cal Poly SLO vs UC San Diego: A Data-Driven Comparison
Admission Difficulty: UC San Diego proves more selective with a 23.71% acceptance rate compared to Cal Poly's 30.43%. Both schools maintain competitive admission standards, but UCSD accepts roughly 7 fewer students per 100 applicants.
Cost and Value: UCSD offers better financial value with an average net price of $11,750 versus Cal Poly's $15,624. However, Cal Poly delivers higher returns with median 10-year earnings of $90,768 compared to UCSD's $84,943. Cal Poly graduates also carry slightly more debt ($18,500 vs $15,500).
Academic Strengths: Both universities maintain similar student-faculty ratios (Cal Poly 18:1, UCSD 19:1). Cal Poly leads in retention rates at 95.21% versus UCSD's 93.92%. UCSD edges ahead in graduation rates with 87.60% completing degrees within six years compared to Cal Poly's 85.20%.
Campus Experience: Cal Poly's smaller enrollment of 21,521 creates a more intimate environment compared to UCSD's 33,787 students. Cal Poly competes in NCAA Division I athletics while UCSD participates in Division II. Cal Poly's San Luis Obispo location offers a classic college town atmosphere, while UCSD's La Jolla setting provides coastal proximity and research opportunities.
Outcomes: Both schools produce successful graduates, with Cal Poly showing a $5,825 earnings advantage over UCSD alumni.
Students seeking hands-on learning in a close-knit community should consider Cal Poly, while those preferring research opportunities at a larger research university would thrive at UC San Diego.
Admission Difficulty: UC San Diego proves more selective with a 23.71% acceptance rate compared to Cal Poly's 30.43%. Both schools maintain competitive admission standards, but UCSD accepts roughly 7 fewer students per 100 applicants.
Cost and Value: UCSD offers better financial value with an average net price of $11,750 versus Cal Poly's $15,624. However, Cal Poly delivers higher returns with median 10-year earnings of $90,768 compared to UCSD's $84,943. Cal Poly graduates also carry slightly more debt ($18,500 vs $15,500).
Academic Strengths: Both universities maintain similar student-faculty ratios (Cal Poly 18:1, UCSD 19:1). Cal Poly leads in retention rates at 95.21% versus UCSD's 93.92%. UCSD edges ahead in graduation rates with 87.60% completing degrees within six years compared to Cal Poly's 85.20%.
Campus Experience: Cal Poly's smaller enrollment of 21,521 creates a more intimate environment compared to UCSD's 33,787 students. Cal Poly competes in NCAA Division I athletics while UCSD participates in Division II. Cal Poly's San Luis Obispo location offers a classic college town atmosphere, while UCSD's La Jolla setting provides coastal proximity and research opportunities.
Outcomes: Both schools produce successful graduates, with Cal Poly showing a $5,825 earnings advantage over UCSD alumni.
Students seeking hands-on learning in a close-knit community should consider Cal Poly, while those preferring research opportunities at a larger research university would thrive at UC San Diego.
Head-to-Head Comparison
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | University of California-San Diego | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 30.4% | 23.7% |
| Enrollment | 21,521 | 33,787 |
| In-State Tuition | $11,075 | $15,265 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $30,995 | $46,042 |
| Net Price | $15,624 | $11,750 |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 85.2% | 87.6% |
| Retention Rate | 95.2% | 93.9% |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $90,768 | $84,943 |
| Median Debt | $18,500 | $15,500 |
Top Programs by Earnings
Top 5 bachelor's programs at each school, ranked by median graduate earnings.
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | University of California-San Diego | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Program | Earnings | Program | Earnings |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | $120,462 | Computer Science. | $86,972 |
| Computer Engineering. | $93,964 | Computer Engineering. | $79,688 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | $82,780 | Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology. | $71,015 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $79,647 | Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | $69,606 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. | $76,460 | Mechanical Engineering. | $67,846 |