Head-to-Head Comparison
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Stevens Institute of Technology
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ
- California Polytechnic Wins
- 22
- Tied
- 14
- Stevens Technology Wins
- 12
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers a significantly safer investment tier. While Stevens Institute of Technology achieves a higher graduation rate (88% vs 86%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $41,346 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.
48 data points compared · Sources: College Scorecard, Opportunity Insights, Times Higher Education, IPEDS
When to Pick Each School
California Polytechnic
- Lower cost: Average net price of $16,665, roughly $24,681 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 31% of applicants, which makes for a more competitive peer group
Stevens Technology
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $108,772 ten years after enrollment, 20% more than California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Higher grad rate: 88% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
The Actual Decision
What are you really choosing between?
California Polytechnic graduates concentrate in Engineering (23% of degrees); Stevens Technology in Engineering (45%). 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 Stevens Institute of Technology over California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Median earnings of $108,772 ten years after enrollment vs $90,768.
Pick California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo over Stevens Institute of Technology. Net price $16,665 vs $41,346.
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 Stevens Institute of Technology 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
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is the harder admit. It takes 31% of applicants, while Stevens Institute of Technology takes 48%.
So what: If test scores and a high-scoring peer group matter to you, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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 $24,681 a year below Stevens Institute of Technology's $41,346. Graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $27,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $98,724 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, Stevens Institute of Technology graduates report median earnings of $108,772, compared with $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. That is a 20% advantage. Set against borrowing, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.2x to 0.25x.
So what: An earnings gap of 20% 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.
Recommendation
Bottom line: pick California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo to keep costs and debt down; pick Stevens Institute of Technology for the higher earnings ceiling.
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
The cheaper school is not the lower-earning one here. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo saves about $24,681 a year, yet Stevens Institute of Technology graduates earn $18,004 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- STEM and CS-focused students: tech programs are a smaller part of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's enrollment, and Stevens Institute of Technology is stronger here.
- Students who want a smaller campus: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's enrollment of 21,996 far exceeds Stevens Institute of Technology's 4,222.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $41,346 runs well above California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's $16,665.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $27,000, against $18,500 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
- Business and consulting-track students: Stevens Institute of Technology has less business program depth, and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers the stronger options.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
California Polytechnic holds onto its admits more tightly: 26% of admitted students enroll, versus 21% at Stevens Technology — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices. 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 4 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 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.
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ · Private nonprofit
Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, NJ, is a great fit for students who are driven by a passion for technology and innovation. With 4,222 enrolled students and an acceptance rate of 48%, it attracts individuals looking for a solid education in fields like Engineering, Computer Science, Business, and the Arts. One standout aspect is the school's high graduation rate of 88%, which speaks volumes about student support and engagement throughout their academic journey.
After graduation, students from Stevens can expect impressive earning potential, with an average salary of $108,772 within ten years of completing their degree. This financial success reflects the value of a degree from Stevens, especially in high-demand areas like engineering and tech. The cost of attendance can be manageable, particularly when considering the school’s financial aid options, though it's important to weigh the net price against potential earnings.
When looking at the practical aspects of attending Stevens, the net price after aid stands at $41,346, which means students should prepare for a significant investment. Graduates typically carry a median debt of $27,000. The environment here tends to be ideal for those who are eager to engage with their studies and are committed to making the most of their college experience. This is a community that thrives on ambition and collaboration, setting students up for success both during and after their time at Stevens.
Rankings They Appear On
Stevens Institute of Technology is featured on the Highest-Paying Colleges for Visual ranking.
Top Degree Programs
Both schools share Mechanical Engineering as their top enrolled program field, comprising 23% of California Polytechnic's student body and 45% of Stevens Technology's.
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 Stevens Technology).
The two schools feed different job markets. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is strongest in Biology & Biomedical, while Stevens Institute of Technology concentrates in Mathematics & Statistics. 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 Stevens Institute of Technology?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is harder to get into, admitting 31% of applicants compared with 48% at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Which is more affordable, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Stevens Institute of Technology?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is more affordable, with an average net price of $16,665 after aid versus $41,346 at Stevens Institute of Technology.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Stevens Institute of Technology graduates earn more?
Stevens Institute of Technology graduates earn more: median earnings of $108,772 ten years after enrollment, versus $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Which has a better graduation rate, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Stevens Institute of Technology?
Stevens Institute of Technology has the higher graduation rate, 88% versus 86%.
Should you choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or Stevens Institute of Technology?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo if affordability and lower debt come first; choose Stevens Institute of Technology if you're optimizing for post-grad earnings. The two schools win on different measures, so the better fit is the one whose strengths match your priorities.
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