University of California-Santa Barbara (UCSB) 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-Santa Barbara (UCSB) and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) are public.
  • Both schools are located in California.
  • UCSB has more expensive tuition of $45,742 than Cal Poly ($30,995).
  • UCSB has tighter acceptance rate of 32.81% than Cal Poly (34.61%).
  • UCSB is larger with 26,420 students than Cal Poly (22,000 students).
University of California-Santa Barbara

View More Rivals
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

View More Rivals
#94 in National Universities
#17 in California
Rankings#23 in California
Public, 4-yearsSchool TypePublic, 4-years
Santa Barbara, CALocationSan Luis Obispo, CA
UCSBKnown asCal Poly
Bachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
Offered DegreesBachelor's
Post-Bachelor Certificate
Master's
Research University (very high research activity)Carnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
Tuition & Fees
$14,965 California residents
$45,742 out-of-state
Undergraduate$11,075 California residents
$30,995 out-of-state
$14,453 California residents
$29,555 out-of-state
Graduate$12,509 California residents
$22,013 out-of-state
$19,654Financial Aid$7,853
Admission
$70 undergraduate
$120 graduate
Application Fee$70 undergraduate
$70 graduate
32.81%Acceptance Rate34.61%
16.90%Yield31.24%
Test Scores
Student Population
26,420Total Students22,000
23,459Undergraduate21,026
2,961Graduate974
10Online Enrollment151
Graduation Rate & Outcomes
85%Graduation Rate85%
Transfer-out Rate1%
92%Retention Rate94%
$62,400Average Earning after Graduation$74,300
Special Learning Opportunities and Student Services
Online Course (may not Degree 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: 11,441)On-Campus Living✔ (Dormitory Capacity: 8,702)
$10,356 average annual costs
✔ (19 meals per week)Meal PlanNot offered or not Reported
Faculties and Staffs
17 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio20 to 1
1,097 Full-time
151 Part-time
Number of Faculties881 Full-time
383 Part-time
4,693 Full-time
463 Part-time
Number of Staffs2,386 Full-time
428 Part-time
$158,904 for Faculties
$78,860 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