UCSD vs Cal Poly SLO: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-San Diego and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UCSD vs Cal Poly SLO at a glance
UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and Cal Poly SLO 31.3% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,794 at UCSD and $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO. Six-year graduation rates are 86% and 86.6%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and Cal Poly SLO 31.3%, so UCSD is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,794 a year at UCSD and $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO; UCSD costs $4,038 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $9,229 at UCSD and $10,354 at Cal Poly SLO.
- 86% of students graduate within six years at UCSD, against 86.6% at Cal Poly SLO.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $96,197 for UCSD and $96,304 for Cal Poly SLO; Cal Poly SLO is $107 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $13,000 at UCSD and $16,500 at Cal Poly SLO.
- UCSD enrolls 34,948 students (large city) and Cal Poly SLO 21,996 (small suburb).
Side by side
UCSD 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 | UCSD | Cal Poly SLO |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 26.7% | 31.3% |
| Applicants | 118,386 | 54,570 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,794 | $18,832 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,337 | $15,039 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,939 | $37,005 |
| Cost of attendance | $41,664 | $36,515 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $9,229 | $10,354 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,965 | $9,975 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,147 | $12,476 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,235 | $18,082 |
| Over $110,000 | $32,338 | $31,461 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 86% | 86.6% |
| First-year retention | 94% | 95.6% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $96,197 | $96,304 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $13,000 | $16,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $148 | $188 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 34,948 | 21,996 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Small |
| Location | La Jolla, 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
UCSD reports 72 bachelor's programs and Cal Poly SLO 74; 39 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UCSD vs Cal Poly SLO
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UCSD or Cal Poly SLO?
UCSD is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and Cal Poly SLO admits 31.3%.
Which is cheaper, UCSD or Cal Poly SLO?
UCSD has the lower average net price after grants: $14,794 a year at UCSD against $18,832 at Cal Poly SLO. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $9,229 and $10,354. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UCSD or Cal Poly SLO graduates earn more?
Cal Poly SLO graduates earn more at the median: $96,197 ten years after entry for UCSD and $96,304 for Cal Poly SLO. Median federal debt at graduation is $13,000 and $16,500.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UCSD or Cal Poly SLO?
Cal Poly SLO does: 86% of UCSD students graduate within six years, against 86.6% at Cal Poly SLO.
How big are UCSD and Cal Poly SLO?
UCSD has 34,948 students in La Jolla, CA and Cal Poly SLO has 21,996 students in San Luis Obispo, CA.