Academic Comparison between Cal Poly and Westcliff

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Westcliff University 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 Westcliff is a four-year, private (for-profit) school located in Irvine, 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.

  • Cal Poly is a public and Westcliff is a private (for-profit) school and both are four-year schools.
  • Cal Poly has more expensive tuition & fees ($33,230) than Westcliff ($17,670).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than Westcliff.
  • Cal Poly has more students with 23,069 students while Westcliff has 7,686 students.
  • Westcliff has a lower number of students per faculty with 11 to 1 while Cal Poly's ratio is 19 to 1.
  • Cal Poly has more full-time faculties with 931 faculties while Westcliff has 37 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispovs.Westcliff University
San Luis Obispo, CaliforniaLocationIrvine, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Private (for-profit)
Master's degreeHighest Degree OfferedDoctor's degree
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationSchool of business and management
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
2025 Tuition & Fees$17,670
52%% Receiving Financial Aid17%
$12,264Average Amount of Financial Aid$11,916
31.32 %Acceptance Rates73.15 %
24.61 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)17.93 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
86 %Graduation Rate62 %
1 %Transfer-out Rate3 %
96 %Retention Rate72 %
23,069Student Population7,686
931Number of Faculties37
19 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio11 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), Weekend/Evening College
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services, On-campus daycareOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services