Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and USV

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of Silicon Valley 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 USV is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in San Jose, CA.

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.University of Silicon Valley
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSan Jose, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationBaccalaureate College - Diverse Fields
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees$22,480
52%% Receiving Financial Aid87%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,846
31.32 %Acceptance Rates51.18 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)41.95 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate29 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate2 %
96 %Retention Rate69 %
23,069Student Population477
931Number of Faculties9
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio13 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes)
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services