California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Thomas Aquinas College are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, CA and Thomas Aquinas is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Santa Paula, CA.
The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | vs. | Thomas Aquinas College |
|---|---|---|
| San Luis Obispo, California | Location | Santa Paula, California |
| Four-year, Public | School Type | four-year, Private (not-for-profit) |
| Master's degree | Highest Degree Offered | Bachelor's degree |
| Master's College and University (larger programs) | Carnegie Classification | Baccalaureate College - Arts & Sciences |
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230 | 2025 Tuition & Fees | $30,200 |
| 52% | % Receiving Financial Aid | 66% |
| $12,264 | Average Amount of Financial Aid | $17,516 |
| 31.32 % | Acceptance Rates | 83.09 % |
| 24.61 % | Yield (Enrollment Rates) | 67.70 % |
| - | SAT Score | 1,310 |
| - | ACT Score | 30 |
| 86 % | Graduation Rate | 84 % |
| 1 % | Transfer-out Rate | 8 % |
| 96 % | Retention Rate | 92 % |
| 23,069 | Student Population | 566 |
| 931 | Number of Faculties | 50 |
| 19 to 1 | Students to Faculty Ratio | 11 to 1 |
| Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification | Special Learning Opportunities | - |
| Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare | On Campus Student Services | Academic/career counseling service |