Cal Poly vs UCSB

Compare two rival schools - California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Barbara with tuition and admission information where Cal Poly is a four-years, public located in San Luis Obispo, CA and UCSB is a four-years, public located in Santa Barbara, CA.
The next list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare two colleges with comprehensive information on the full comparison page.
  • Both schools are four-years, public schools.
  • UCSB has more expensive tuition & fees ($45,742) than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • It is harder to admit to UCSB than Cal Poly.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,420 students while Cal Poly has 22,000 students.
  • UCSB has a lower number of students per faculty with 17 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 20 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,097 faculties while Cal Poly has 881 full-time faculties.
The following table compares the two rival schools - California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Barbara.
Cal Polyvs.UCSB
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSanta Barbara, California
Four-years, PublicSchool Typefour-years, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$11,075
Out-Of-State$30,995
2024 Tuition & Fees
In-State$14,965
Out-Of-State$45,742
50%% Receiving Financial Aid61%
$7,853Average Amount of Financial Aid$19,654
30.43 %Acceptance Rates25.85 %
28.57 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.31 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
85 %Graduation Rate85 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate92 %
22,000Student Population26,420
881Number of Faculties1,097
20 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio17 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare