Cal Poly SLO vs UC Davis: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Davis, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Cal Poly SLO vs UC Davis at a glance
Cal Poly SLO admits 31.3% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO and $14,318 at UC Davis. Six-year graduation rates are 86.6% and 85.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- Cal Poly SLO admits 31.3% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8%, so Cal Poly SLO is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $18,832 a year at Cal Poly SLO and $14,318 at UC Davis; UC Davis costs $4,514 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $10,354 at Cal Poly SLO and $8,770 at UC Davis.
- 86.6% of students graduate within six years at Cal Poly SLO, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $96,304 for Cal Poly SLO and $86,999 for UC Davis; Cal Poly SLO is $9,305 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $16,500 at Cal Poly SLO and $12,038 at UC Davis.
- Cal Poly SLO enrolls 21,996 students (small suburb) and UC Davis 32,253 (small suburb).
Side by side
Cal Poly SLO and UC Davis in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | Cal Poly SLO | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 31.3% | 41.8% |
| Applicants | 54,570 | 87,120 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $18,832 | $14,318 |
| Tuition, in state | $15,039 | $17,346 |
| Tuition, out of state | $37,005 | $54,948 |
| Cost of attendance | $36,515 | $43,191 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $10,354 | $8,770 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,975 | $9,042 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,476 | $11,562 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,082 | $15,645 |
| Over $110,000 | $31,461 | $32,902 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 86.6% | 85.7% |
| First-year retention | 95.6% | 92.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $96,304 | $86,999 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $16,500 | $12,038 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $188 | $137 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 21,996 | 32,253 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Small |
| Location | San Luis Obispo, CA | Davis, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
Cal Poly SLO reports 74 bachelor's programs and UC Davis 93; 48 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about Cal Poly SLO vs UC Davis
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into Cal Poly SLO or UC Davis?
Cal Poly SLO is harder to get into by acceptance rate: Cal Poly SLO admits 31.3% of applicants and UC Davis admits 41.8%.
Which is cheaper, Cal Poly SLO or UC Davis?
UC Davis has the lower average net price after grants: $18,832 a year at Cal Poly SLO against $14,318 at UC Davis. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $10,354 and $8,770. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do Cal Poly SLO or UC Davis graduates earn more?
Cal Poly SLO graduates earn more at the median: $96,304 ten years after entry for Cal Poly SLO and $86,999 for UC Davis. Median federal debt at graduation is $16,500 and $12,038.
Which has a higher graduation rate, Cal Poly SLO or UC Davis?
Cal Poly SLO does: 86.6% of Cal Poly SLO students graduate within six years, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
How big are Cal Poly SLO and UC Davis?
Cal Poly SLO has 21,996 students in San Luis Obispo, CA and UC Davis has 32,253 students in Davis, CA.