Cal Poly SLO vs UCSB: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Barbara, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Cal Poly SLO vs UCSB at a glance
Cal Poly SLO admits 31.3% of applicants and UCSB 33% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO and $16,807 at UCSB. Six-year graduation rates are 86.6% and 83.6%, 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 UCSB 33%, so Cal Poly SLO is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $18,832 a year at Cal Poly SLO and $16,807 at UCSB; UCSB costs $2,025 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $10,354 at Cal Poly SLO and $9,523 at UCSB.
- 86.6% of students graduate within six years at Cal Poly SLO, against 83.6% at UCSB.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $96,304 for Cal Poly SLO and $82,568 for UCSB; Cal Poly SLO is $13,736 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $16,500 at Cal Poly SLO and $11,776 at UCSB.
- Cal Poly SLO enrolls 21,996 students (small suburb) and UCSB 23,113 (midsize suburb).
Side by side
Cal Poly SLO and UCSB 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 | UCSB |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 31.3% | 33% |
| Applicants | 54,570 | 105,641 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $18,832 | $16,807 |
| Tuition, in state | $15,039 | $16,989 |
| Tuition, out of state | $37,005 | $54,591 |
| Cost of attendance | $36,515 | $44,833 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $10,354 | $9,523 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,975 | $10,281 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,476 | $14,181 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $18,082 | $18,954 |
| Over $110,000 | $31,461 | $36,658 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 86.6% | 83.6% |
| First-year retention | 95.6% | 93% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $96,304 | $82,568 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $16,500 | $11,776 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $188 | $134 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 21,996 | 23,113 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | Suburb: Small | Suburb: Midsize |
| Location | San Luis Obispo, CA | Santa Barbara, 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 UCSB 54; 30 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about Cal Poly SLO vs UCSB
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into Cal Poly SLO or UCSB?
Cal Poly SLO is harder to get into by acceptance rate: Cal Poly SLO admits 31.3% of applicants and UCSB admits 33%.
Which is cheaper, Cal Poly SLO or UCSB?
UCSB has the lower average net price after grants: $18,832 a year at Cal Poly SLO against $16,807 at UCSB. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $10,354 and $9,523. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do Cal Poly SLO or UCSB graduates earn more?
Cal Poly SLO graduates earn more at the median: $96,304 ten years after entry for Cal Poly SLO and $82,568 for UCSB. Median federal debt at graduation is $16,500 and $11,776.
Which has a higher graduation rate, Cal Poly SLO or UCSB?
Cal Poly SLO does: 86.6% of Cal Poly SLO students graduate within six years, against 83.6% at UCSB.
How big are Cal Poly SLO and UCSB?
Cal Poly SLO has 21,996 students in San Luis Obispo, CA and UCSB has 23,113 students in Santa Barbara, CA.