Head-to-Head Comparison
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of California-Los Angeles
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA
- California Polytechnic Wins
- 12
- Tied
- 7
- California-Los Angeles Wins
- 22
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, University of California-Los Angeles offers a significantly safer investment tier. With an annual cost of $12,548 vs California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's $16,665, University of California-Los Angeles delivers strong outcomes at a fraction of the price. For students prioritizing lower student debt over initial institution prestige, University of California-Los Angeles's lower price point delivers a highly efficient debt-to-earnings path.
41 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, 10% more than University of California-Los Angeles
California-Los Angeles
- Lower cost: Average net price of $12,548, roughly $4,117 a year less
- Higher grad rate: 93% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- Less debt: Median debt of $14,000, the lower of the two
- More selective: Admits 9% 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); California-Los Angeles in Social Sciences (25%). 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 University of California-Los Angeles. Median earnings of $90,768 ten years after enrollment vs $82,511.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Net price $12,548 vs $16,665.
Pick University of California-Los Angeles over California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 93% 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 University of California-Los Angeles are close on paper, but University of California-Los Angeles wins the head-to-head, leading on 4 of the core measures (selectivity, cost, earnings, completion, mobility, and debt). The right pick still depends on how you weight them.
Getting in
University of California-Los Angeles is the harder admit. It takes 9% 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, University of California-Los Angeles 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, University of California-Los Angeles comes out ahead. Its average net price after aid is $12,548, about $4,117 a year below California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's $16,665. Graduates of University of California-Los Angeles also borrow less: median debt of $14,000, against $18,500.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $16,468 before any change in aid. Choosing University of California-Los Angeles 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 $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles. That is a 10% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of California-Los Angeles has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.17x to 0.2x.
So what: An earnings gap of 10% 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
University of California-Los Angeles graduates a larger share of its students, 93% versus 86%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 7% 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 University of California-Los Angeles to keep costs and debt down; pick California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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. University of California-Los Angeles saves about $4,117 a year, yet California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn $8,257 more ten years after enrollment. The cost advantage and the earnings premium sit at different schools, so your time horizon decides which counts more.
Their academic identities diverge. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo concentrates enrollment in Engineering, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, while University of California-Los Angeles leans toward Social Sciences, Biology & Biomedical, Psychology. That split shapes which recruiters come to campus and what your classmates study.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $16,665 runs well above University of California-Los Angeles's $12,548.
- Students minimizing debt: median debt is $18,500, against $14,000 at University of California-Los Angeles.
- Engineering-focused students: California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo has the stronger engineering programs.
- Business and consulting-track students: University of California-Los Angeles has less business program depth, and California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers the stronger options.
- Students who want a smaller campus: University of California-Los Angeles's enrollment of 33,475 far exceeds California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's 21,996.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
California-Los Angeles holds onto its admits more tightly: 48% of admitted students enroll, versus 26% at California Polytechnic — a sign of how often it wins head-to-head choices.
Source: each school's published Common Data Set, via collegedata.fyi.
Overview 5 metrics
Admissions 1 metrics
Admissions Strategy (Common Data Set) 4 metrics
Cost & Financial Aid 9 metrics
Academics 5 metrics
Student Body 6 metrics
Outcomes 6 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.
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
Only 9% of applicants gain admission to the University of California-Los Angeles, making it one of the most selective public universities in the country. With an enrollment of nearly 33,500 students, UCLA combines a competitive environment with a high graduation rate of 93%. This commitment to student success reflects the university's dedication to academic excellence.
Graduates from UCLA see strong financial outcomes, with a median earnings of $82,511 a decade after graduation. While specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's programs in fields like Social Sciences, Biology, and Engineering contribute to its reputation for fostering upward economic mobility among its graduates. The 28% of students receiving Pell Grants highlights its support for low-income students, balancing accessibility with high achievement.
Attending UCLA comes with a net price of $12,548 and a median debt of $14,000, making it a financially viable option for many students. Those who thrive here are often driven, academically inclined, and eager to engage in a vibrant campus culture. With a strong focus on research and a diverse student body, UCLA is well-suited for those looking to make an impact in their chosen fields.
Rankings They Appear On
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Los Angeles appear together in 5 rankings. On the Best Engineering Colleges in California, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo ranks #7 — California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo outranks University of California-Los Angeles by 12 positions.
Top Degree Programs
California Polytechnic's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while California-Los Angeles leads with Sociology (25%).
California Polytechnic
California-Los Angeles
Career Pathways
Program strengths at these schools feed into careers like Software Developer, Data Scientist, Cybersecurity Analyst (for California Polytechnic) and Mechanical Engineer, Civil Engineer, Electrical Engineer (for California-Los Angeles).
The two schools feed different job markets. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is strongest in Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT, while University of California-Los Angeles 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.
California Polytechnic
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it harder to get into California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is harder to get into, admitting 9% 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 University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles is more affordable, with an average net price of $12,548 after aid versus $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Los Angeles graduates earn more?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo graduates earn more: median earnings of $90,768 ten years after enrollment, versus $82,511 at University of California-Los Angeles.
Which has a better graduation rate, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Los Angeles?
University of California-Los Angeles has the higher graduation rate, 93% versus 86%.
Should you choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Los Angeles?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose University of California-Los Angeles if affordability and lower debt come first; choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo 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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