University of California-Riverside (UC Riverside) 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-Riverside (UC Riverside) and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) are public.
  • Both schools are located in California.
  • UC Riverside has more expensive tuition of $44,947 than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • Cal Poly has tighter acceptance rate of 34.61% than UC Riverside (57.23%).
  • UC Riverside is larger with 26,809 students than Cal Poly (22,000 students).
University of California-Riverside

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California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

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#236 in National Universities
#58 in California
Rankings#23 in California
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Riverside, CALocationSan Luis Obispo, CA
UC RiversideKnown asCal Poly
Bachelor's
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
$14,170 California residents
$44,947 out-of-state
Undergraduate$11,075 California residents
$30,995 out-of-state
$14,366 California residents
$29,468 out-of-state
Graduate$12,509 California residents
$22,013 out-of-state
$20,324Financial Aid$7,853
Admission
$70 undergraduate
$120 graduate
Application Fee$70 undergraduate
$70 graduate
57.23%Acceptance Rate34.61%
18.39%Yield31.24%
Test Scores
Student Population
26,809Total Students22,000
22,911Undergraduate21,026
3,898Graduate974
145Online Enrollment151
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
76%Graduation Rate85%
15%Transfer-out Rate1%
87%Retention Rate94%
$55,300Average 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
Study Abroad
Weekend/Evening College
Teacher Certifiate
Special OpportunitiesROTC
Study Abroad
Teacher Certifiate
✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 8,600)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
1,051 Full-time
160 Part-time
Number of Faculties881 Full-time
383 Part-time
3,997 Full-time
482 Part-time
Number of Staffs2,386 Full-time
428 Part-time
$133,120 for Faculties
$77,966 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