SDSU vs Cal Poly SLO: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for San Diego State University and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
SDSU vs Cal Poly SLO at a glance
SDSU admits 36.2% of applicants and Cal Poly SLO 31.3% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $13,243 at SDSU and $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO. Six-year graduation rates are 78.1% and 86.6%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- SDSU admits 36.2% of applicants and Cal Poly SLO 31.3%, so Cal Poly SLO is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $13,243 a year at SDSU and $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO; SDSU costs $5,589 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $8,258 at SDSU and $10,354 at Cal Poly SLO.
- 78.1% of students graduate within six years at SDSU, against 86.6% at Cal Poly SLO.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $73,494 for SDSU and $96,304 for Cal Poly SLO; Cal Poly SLO is $22,810 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $14,500 at SDSU and $16,500 at Cal Poly SLO.
- SDSU enrolls 35,377 students (large city) and Cal Poly SLO 21,996 (small suburb).
Side by side
SDSU and Cal Poly SLO 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 | SDSU | Cal Poly SLO |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 36.2% | 31.3% |
| Applicants | 67,660 | 54,570 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $13,243 | $18,832 |
| Tuition, in state | $9,180 | $15,039 |
| Tuition, out of state | $25,500 | $37,005 |
| Cost of attendance | $26,045 | $36,515 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $8,258 | $10,354 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,236 | $9,975 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,413 | $12,476 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,498 | $18,082 |
| Over $110,000 | $22,130 | $31,461 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 78.1% | 86.6% |
| First-year retention | 90.6% | 95.6% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $73,494 | $96,304 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $14,500 | $16,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $165 | $188 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 35,377 | 21,996 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Small |
| Location | San Diego, CA | San Luis Obispo, 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
SDSU reports 81 bachelor's programs and Cal Poly SLO 74; 44 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about SDSU vs Cal Poly SLO
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into SDSU or Cal Poly SLO?
Cal Poly SLO is harder to get into by acceptance rate: SDSU admits 36.2% of applicants and Cal Poly SLO admits 31.3%.
Which is cheaper, SDSU or Cal Poly SLO?
SDSU has the lower average net price after grants: $13,243 a year at SDSU against $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $8,258 and $10,354. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do SDSU or Cal Poly SLO graduates earn more?
Cal Poly SLO graduates earn more at the median: $73,494 ten years after entry for SDSU and $96,304 for Cal Poly SLO. Median federal debt at graduation is $14,500 and $16,500.
Which has a higher graduation rate, SDSU or Cal Poly SLO?
Cal Poly SLO does: 78.1% of SDSU students graduate within six years, against 86.6% at Cal Poly SLO.
How big are SDSU and Cal Poly SLO?
SDSU has 35,377 students in San Diego, CA and Cal Poly SLO has 21,996 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.