California State University-Northridge (CSUN) vs. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly)

Compare two schools with tuition, admission, test scores, and more academic characteristics.

  • Both California State University-Northridge (CSUN) and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) are public.
  • Both schools are located in California.
  • Cal Poly has more expensive tuition of $30,995 than CSUN ($18,975).
  • Cal Poly has tighter acceptance rate of 34.61% than CSUN (57.65%).
  • CSUN is larger with 37,579 students than Cal Poly (22,000 students).
California State University-Northridge

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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

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#53 in California
Rankings#23 in California
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Northridge, CALocationSan Luis Obispo, CA
CSUNKnown asCal Poly
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Offered DegreesBachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Master's College and University (larger programs)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
Tuition & Fees
$7,095 California residents
$18,975 out-of-state
Undergraduate$11,075 California residents
$30,995 out-of-state
$8,529 California residents
$18,033 out-of-state
Graduate$12,509 California residents
$22,013 out-of-state
$9,447Financial Aid$7,853
Admission
$70 undergraduate
$70 graduate
Application Fee$70 undergraduate
$70 graduate
57.65%Acceptance Rate34.61%
30.06%Yield31.24%
Test Scores
Student Population
37,579Total Students22,000
32,181Undergraduate21,026
5,398Graduate974
3,333Online Enrollment151
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
55%Graduation Rate85%
5%Transfer-out Rate1%
75%Retention Rate94%
$49,700Average Earning after Graduation$74,300
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Both Undergraduate and GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 3,416)
$7,534 average annual costs
On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 8,702)
$10,356 average annual costs
Not offered or not ReportedMeal PlanNot offered or not Reported
Faculties and Staffs
24 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
906 Full-time
1,037 Part-time
Number of Faculties881 Full-time
383 Part-time
2,582 Full-time
1,126 Part-time
Number of Staffs2,386 Full-time
428 Part-time
$91,121 for Faculties
$70,228 Part-time
Average Salary$95,198 for Faculties
$74,774 Part-time
All data used in our site is from IPEDS (The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System), U.S. Department of Education, academic year 2022-2023