Academic Comparison between California Northstate and Cal Poly

California Northstate University and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. California Northstate is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Elk Grove, 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 Northstate is a private (for-profit) and Cal Poly is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • California Northstate has more expensive tuition & fees ($61,600) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than California Northstate.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while California Northstate has 981 students.
  • California Northstate has a lower number of students per faculty with 3 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while California Northstate has 106 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Northstate Universityvs.California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Elk Grove, CaliforniaLocationSan Luis Obispo, California
Four-year, Private (for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$61,6002025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
34%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$11,487Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,264
92.47 %Acceptance Rates31.32 %
5.81 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)24.61 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
100 %Graduation Rate86 %
-Transfer-out Rate1 %
86 %Retention Rate96 %
981Student Population23,069
106Number of Faculties931
3 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Weekend/Evening CollegeSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycare