Cal Poly vs SUNY Poly
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) and SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) are two distinct institutions of higher learning with unique offerings and characteristics. Cal Poly SLO, located in the heart of California's Central Coast, boasts a strong reputation for its engineering, agriculture, and business programs, while SUNY Poly, situated in the vibrant city of Utica, New York, excels in nanotechnology, engineering, and healthcare fields. With varying acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates, these universities cater to diverse student populations and academic aspirations. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to delve into the specifics and discover which institution aligns best with your educational goals and preferences.
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![]() California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
![]() SUNY Polytechnic Institute |
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Overview |
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Location | San Luis Obispo, California | Utica, New York |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Midsize |
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% | 75.0% |
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No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 33.0% | 77.3% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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SAT range | N/A | 1040 - 1400 |
ACT range | N/A | 23 - 31 |
Students submitting SAT score | 29.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 5.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 54,570 | 2,686 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,008 | 2,075 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,884 | 307 |
Yield rate | 27.1% | 14.8% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | Required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | 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:
$27,040
Out of state:
$37,800
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Average net price | $20,708 | $10,245 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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In state:
$7,070
Out of state:
$17,830
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,642
Meal plan:
$6,138
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Room/dormitory:
$8,444
Meal plan:
$4,960
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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 |
87.0%
Average amount $9,128 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $5,023 |
56.0%
Average amount $4,971 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $22,714 |
7.0%
Average amount $8,955 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
21,128
Men 51.2% Women 48.8% |
2,037
Men 67.3% Women 32.7% |
Graduate students |
1,103
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
813
Men 40.1% Women 59.9% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
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Low
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Out-of-state students | 20.6% | 2.0% |
International students | 2.3% | 4.8% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 8,147 | 1,076 |
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 | New York Alabama Connecticut Florida Mississippi |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 13:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Middle States Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.4% | 65.4% |
Dropout rate | 12.5% | 7.2% |
Transferred out | 1.2% | 26.8% |
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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Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Medical Administrative Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
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