Academic Comparison between California Lutheran and Cal Poly

California Lutheran University and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. California Lutheran is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Thousand Oaks, CA and Cal Poly is a four-year, public school located in San Luis Obispo, CA.

Comparison at a Glance

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

  • California Lutheran is a private (not-for-profit) and Cal Poly is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Lutheran has more expensive tuition & fees ($52,560) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than California Lutheran.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while California Lutheran has 3,351 students.
  • California Lutheran has a lower number of students per faculty with 13 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while California Lutheran has 182 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Lutheran Universityvs.California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Thousand Oaks, CaliforniaLocationSan Luis Obispo, California
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$52,5602025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
97%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$31,632Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,264
75.67 %Acceptance Rates31.32 %
11.05 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)24.61 %
1,270SAT Score-
26ACT Score-
70 %Graduation Rate86 %
27 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
79 %Retention Rate96 %
3,351Student Population23,069
182Number of Faculties931
13 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare