Academic Comparison between UC Riverside and Cal Poly

University of California-Riverside and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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.
  • UC Riverside has more expensive tuition & fees ($46,524) than Cal Poly ($33,230).
  • It is harder to admit to Cal Poly than UC Riverside.
  • UC Riverside has more students with 26,384 students while Cal Poly has 23,069 students.
  • Cal Poly has a lower number of students per faculty with 19 to 1 while UC Riverside's ratio is 22 to 1.
  • UC Riverside has more full-time faculties with 1,028 faculties while Cal Poly has 931 full-time faculties.
Which school is more in your mind and would you like to go to?
UC Riverside Cal Poly
Vote to see the other's choices.

Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

University of California-Riversidevs.California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
Riverside, CaliforniaLocationSan Luis Obispo, California
Four-year, PublicSchool Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
In-State$14,636
Out-Of-State$46,524
2025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,161
Out-Of-State$33,230
74%% Receiving Financial Aid52%
$21,726Average Amount of Financial Aid$12,264
76.39 %Acceptance Rates31.32 %
12.23 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)24.61 %
-SAT Score-
-ACT Score-
76 %Graduation Rate86 %
9 %Transfer-out Rate1 %
88 %Retention Rate96 %
26,384Student Population23,069
1,028Number of Faculties931
22 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio19 to 1
Distance Learning (Online Classes), Study Abroad, Weekend/Evening College, 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