University of California-Irvine (UCI) vs. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly)

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

  • Both University of California-Irvine (UCI) and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) are public.
  • Both schools are located in California.
  • UCI has more expensive tuition of $45,014 than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • Cal Poly has tighter acceptance rate of 34.61% than UCI (36.51%).
  • UCI is larger with 35,937 students than Cal Poly (22,000 students).
University of California-Irvine

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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

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#107 in National Universities
#25 in California
Rankings#23 in California
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Irvine, CALocationSan Luis Obispo, CA
UCIKnown asCal Poly
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Doctorate (Professional Practice)
Offered DegreesBachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
Tuition & Fees
$14,237 California residents
$45,014 out-of-state
Undergraduate$11,075 California residents
$30,995 out-of-state
$14,275 California residents
$29,377 out-of-state
Graduate$12,509 California residents
$22,013 out-of-state
$18,266Financial Aid$7,853
Admission
$70 undergraduate
$120 graduate
Application Fee$70 undergraduate
$70 graduate
36.51%Acceptance Rate34.61%
21.07%Yield31.24%
Test Scores
Student Population
35,937Total Students22,000
28,662Undergraduate21,026
7,275Graduate974
2,519Online Enrollment151
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
86%Graduation Rate85%
6%Transfer-out Rate1%
91%Retention Rate94%
$65,800Average Earning after Graduation$74,300
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for GraduateDistance Learning (Online Classes)Online Degree/Certificate Program Offered for Graduate
ROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 15,693)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
18 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
2,125 Full-time
420 Part-time
Number of Faculties881 Full-time
383 Part-time
8,278 Full-time
1,052 Part-time
Number of Staffs2,386 Full-time
428 Part-time
$150,651 for Faculties
$83,463 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