Cal Poly vs Cal Poly Humboldt
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) and California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt (Cal Poly Humboldt) are two distinct universities within the California State University system, each offering unique educational experiences. Cal Poly SLO, located on the Central Coast, boasts a higher acceptance rate and a larger student body, while Cal Poly Humboldt, nestled in the redwood forests of Northern California, offers a more intimate learning environment. Both universities excel in preparing students for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields, but they also offer a wide range of programs in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover more about the differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student demographics, and graduation rates, and find the university that best aligns with your academic goals and personal preferences.
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![]() California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
![]() California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt |
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Overview |
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Location | San Luis Obispo, California | Arcata, California |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | Town: Remote |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 74.0% |
![]() |
No | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 33.0% | 91.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
|
SAT range | N/A | N/A |
ACT range | N/A | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | ||
Students submitting ACT score | ||
Total number of applicants | 54,570 | 7,013 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,008 | 6,414 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,884 | 629 |
Yield rate | 27.1% | 9.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$29,680
Out of state:
$47,590
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In state:
$25,668
Out of state:
$37,548
|
Average net price | $20,708 | $13,904 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
|
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,642
Meal plan:
$6,138
|
Room/dormitory:
$6,638
Meal plan:
$5,600
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
55.0%
Average amount $5,988 |
75.0%
Average amount $9,716 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $5,023 |
36.0%
Average amount $4,831 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $22,714 |
1.0%
Average amount $12,255 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
21,128
Men 51.2% Women 48.8% |
5,354
Men 41.6% Women 58.4% |
Graduate students |
1,103
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
554
Men 30.0% Women 70.0% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 20.6% | 7.0% |
International students | 2.3% | 1.3% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | Town: Remote |
Dormitory capacity | 8,147 | 2,069 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Colorado Oregon Texas | California Oregon Washington Colorado Hawaii |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
|
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Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 16:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.4% | 47.5% |
Dropout rate | 12.5% | 42.0% |
Transferred out | 1.2% | 7.8% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fire Protection (Master's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Psychology, General (Master's Degrees)
Social Work (Master's Degrees)
Forestry (Bachelor's Degrees)
Natural Resources Conservation and Research (Master's Degrees)
Social Work (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
History (Bachelor's Degrees)
Sociology (Bachelor's Degrees)
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