Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and UCSB

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Barbara are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Both Schools are four-year, public and located in California

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.

  • Both schools are four-year, public schools.
  • UCSB has more expensive tuition & fees ($47,332) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than UCSB.
  • UCSB has more students with 26,133 students while Cal Poly has 23,069 students.
  • UCSB has a lower number of students per faculty with 17 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • UCSB has more full-time faculties with 1,109 faculties while Cal Poly has 931 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
Cal Poly UCSB
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.University of California-Santa Barbara
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationSanta Barbara, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationResearch University (very high research activity)
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$15,444
Out-Of-State$47,332
52%% Receiving Financial Aid57%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$20,405
31.32 %Acceptance Rates32.97 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)13.78 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate83 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate-
96 %Retention Rate93 %
23,069Student Population26,133
931Number of Faculties1,109
19 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
More Rivals