Cal Poly vs UT Tampa
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly SLO) and The University of Tampa (UT) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. Cal Poly SLO, a public polytechnic university, boasts a higher acceptance rate (78%) compared to UT's more selective admissions (54%). Both universities offer a diverse range of undergraduate programs, with Cal Poly SLO excelling in engineering, agriculture, and architecture, while UT is renowned for its business, nursing, and marine science programs. Cal Poly SLO's student body is predominantly composed of California residents, while UT attracts a more diverse population from across the nation and internationally. In terms of graduation rates, Cal Poly SLO has a slightly higher four-year graduation rate (68%) compared to UT's 65%. To help you make an informed decision, we've compiled a comprehensive comparison table highlighting key differences between these two institutions. Explore the table to discover which university better aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
![]() The University of Tampa |
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Overview |
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Location | San Luis Obispo, California | Tampa, Florida |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 83.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 33.0% | 53.5% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
|
Undergraduate:
$40
Graduate:
$40
|
SAT range | N/A | 1070 - 1240 |
ACT range | N/A | 23 - 28 |
Students submitting SAT score | 20.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 11.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 54,570 | 32,904 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,008 | 17,620 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,884 | 3,102 |
Yield rate | 27.1% | 17.6% |
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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$44,404 |
Average net price | $20,708 | $34,720 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
|
$29,162 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,642
Meal plan:
$6,138
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Room/dormitory:
$6,144
Meal plan:
$5,772
|
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 |
98.0%
Average amount $13,448 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $5,023 |
84.0%
Average amount $3,594 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $22,714 |
27.0%
Average amount $9,478 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
21,128
Men 51.2% Women 48.8% |
9,838
Men 39.2% Women 60.8% |
Graduate students |
1,103
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
956
Men 39.7% Women 60.3% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Low
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Out-of-state students | 20.6% | N/A |
International students | 2.3% | 6.4% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 8,147 | 4,800 |
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 | N/A |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 18:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.4% | 62.1% |
Dropout rate | 12.5% | 36.5% |
Transferred out | 1.2% | N/A |
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 Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Finance and Financial Management Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Bachelor's Degrees)
Marketing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication (Bachelor's Degrees)
Health and Physical Education/Fitness (Bachelor's Degrees)
Communication and Media Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
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