Head-to-Head Comparison
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Davidson College
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Davidson College
Davidson, NC
- California Polytechnic Wins
- 19
- Tied
- 18
- Davidson Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Davidson College achieves a higher graduation rate (91% vs 86%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $17,379 compared to California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's $16,665. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
49 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California Polytechnic
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $90,768 ten years after enrollment, 12% more than Davidson College
- Lower cost: Average net price of $16,665, roughly $714 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
Davidson
- Higher grad rate: 91% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 13% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California Polytechnic graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Davidson in Social Sciences (23%). If you already know the field you want, the choice is mostly made for you.
Based on each school's share of degrees by field (College Scorecard). It shows where graduates actually concentrate, not the only path a school offers.
Which School Fits You?
Pick California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo over Davidson College. Median earnings of $90,768 ten years after enrollment vs $81,400.
Pick California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo over Davidson College. Net price $16,665 vs $17,379.
Pick Davidson College over California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 91% completion rate vs 86%.
Key Metrics at a Glance
Graduation Rate
Earnings (10yr)
Avg Net Price
Median Debt
The Analysis
Verdict
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and Davidson College are close on paper, but California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo wins the head-to-head, leading on 3 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
Davidson College is the harder admit. It takes 13% of applicants, while California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo takes 31%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, Davidson College sets the higher bar. The less selective school is easier to get into, which can work in your favor rather than against it.
What it costs
On price, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $16,665, about $714 a year below Davidson College's $17,379. Graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $18,688.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $2,856 before any change in aid. Choosing California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo leaves that money available for graduate school, savings, or simply less borrowing.
What graduates earn
Ten years after enrollment, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates report median earnings of $90,768, compared with $81,400 at Davidson College. That is a 12% advantage. Set against borrowing, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.23x.
So what: An earnings gap of 12% this early in a career tends to widen, since raises build on the higher base. Of the measures on this page, this one carries the most financial weight.
Finishing the degree
Davidson College graduates a larger share of its students, 91% versus 86%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 6% is a risk measure. Students at the school with the lower rate face higher odds of leaving with debt and no degree, the most expensive outcome in higher education.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo to keep costs and debt down.
Data certainty: High. Both schools report 5 of 6 core signals used here; where one school is missing a figure, that row is left out of the comparison rather than estimated.
Counterintuitive Insights
Their academic identities diverge. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, while Davidson College leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Students who want a smaller campus: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's enrollment of 21,996 far exceeds Davidson College's 1,867.
- Engineering-focused students: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: Davidson College has less business program depth, and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Davidson holds onto its admits more tightly: 47% of admitted students enroll, versus 26% at California Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. Davidson offers a binding Early Decision round that can lift your odds; California Polytechnic does not, so there is no early-commitment lever to pull there. Test scores matter less at California Polytechnic, where only about 23% of enrolled freshmen submitted any SAT or ACT.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 3 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 6 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 metrics
Social Mobility (Chetty) 4 metrics
Social Capital 3 metrics
Online Education (IPEDS) 2 metrics
The Overviews
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA · Public
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has an impressive graduation rate of 86%. This high rate indicates strong student support and engagement, contributing to a successful academic environment. With nearly 22,000 students, Cal Poly combines a vibrant campus life with a commitment to academic excellence.
Graduates from Cal Poly earn a median salary of $90,768 ten years post-graduation. This figure reflects the effectiveness of the university's programs in preparing students for the workforce. Although the Pell Grant rate is 19%, the university's focus on practical, career-oriented education significantly enhances economic mobility for many students.
The cost of attendance is relatively affordable, with a net price of $16,665 and a median debt of $18,500. This financial structure positions Cal Poly as a viable option for students seeking quality education without overwhelming debt. Students who thrive here are often those interested in fields like engineering, business, and computer science, where hands-on experience and industry connections are paramount.
Davidson College
Davidson, NC · Private nonprofit
Davidson College is an ideal choice for students who thrive in a small, close-knit community, with an enrollment of just 1,867. With an acceptance rate of 13%, it attracts motivated individuals looking for a rigorous academic environment. Students here dive into a variety of programs, including Social Sciences, Biology and Biomedical fields, Psychology, Physical Sciences, and Computer Science and IT. This range of studies suggests a strong commitment to understanding both the human experience and the scientific world.
Looking at life after graduation, we can see that Davidson graduates tend to do quite well for themselves, with an impressive 10-year earnings average of $81,400. This figure reflects the value of a Davidson degree in the job market. The affordability factor is also noteworthy, as 18% of students receive Pell Grants, which helps to lighten the financial burden for those who need it most.
In terms of finances, the net price after aid is around $17,379, which is manageable for many families. Graduates leave with a median debt of $18,688, a relatively low figure that suggests a commitment to keeping education accessible. Those who tend to thrive at Davidson are often self-driven, academically inclined, and deeply engaged in their communities, making the most of both their education and the connections they build during their time here.
Rankings They Appear On
Davidson College is featured on the Best Education Colleges in North Carolina ranking.
Top Degree Programs
California Polytechnic's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Davidson leads with Sociology (23%).
California Polytechnic
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for California Polytechnic) and Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for Davidson).
The two schools feed different job markets. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is strongest in Engineering, Business & Marketing, while Davidson College concentrates in Social Sciences, Psychology. Those concentrations determine which recruiters show up on campus and where alumni cluster by industry. Match the school's program strengths to the field you plan to enter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Davidson College?
Davidson College is harder to get into, admitting 13% of applicants compared with 31% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Which is more affordable, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Davidson College?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is more affordable, with an average net price of $16,665 after aid versus $17,379 at Davidson College.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Davidson College graduates earn more?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,768 ten years after enrollment, versus $81,400 at Davidson College.
Which has a better graduation rate, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Davidson College?
Davidson College has the higher graduation rate, 91% versus 86%.
Should you choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Davidson College?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Davidson College if you want the more selective, higher-stats peer group. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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