Head-to-Head Comparison
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs University of Notre Dame
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN
- California Polytechnic Wins
- 17
- Tied
- 21
- Notre Dame Wins
- 14
Direct Answer
For overall financial value, California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo offers a significantly safer investment tier. While University of Notre Dame achieves a higher graduation rate (96% vs 86%), its annual cost of attendance sits at $26,780 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.
52 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 $10,115 a year less
- Less debt: Median debt of $18,500, the lower of the two
Notre Dame
- Higher earnings: Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment, 10% more than California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
- Higher grad rate: 96% of students finish, the higher completion rate of the pair
- More selective: Admits 11% 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); Notre Dame in Business & Marketing (27%). 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 University of Notre Dame over California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. Median earnings of $99,980 ten years after enrollment vs $90,768.
Pick California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo over University of Notre Dame. Net price $16,665 vs $26,780.
Pick University of Notre Dame over California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. 96% 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 Notre Dame are close on paper, but University of Notre Dame 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
University of Notre Dame is the harder admit. It takes 11% 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 Notre Dame 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 $10,115 a year below University of Notre Dame's $26,780. Graduates of California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo also borrow less: median debt of $18,500, against $19,000.
So what: Over four years, the gap adds up to about $40,460 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, University of Notre Dame graduates report median earnings of $99,980, compared with $90,768 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. That is a 10% advantage. Set against borrowing, University of Notre Dame has the lower debt-to-earnings ratio, 0.19x 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 Notre Dame graduates a larger share of its students, 96% versus 86%. More of its students stay on track to a degree.
So what: A completion gap of 10% 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; pick University of Notre Dame 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 $10,115 a year, yet University of Notre Dame graduates earn $9,212 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 Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame leans toward Social Sciences. 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 University of Notre Dame's 8,818.
- Cost-conscious students: net price of $26,780 runs well above California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo's $16,665.
Full Data Breakdown
Inside the admissions office
Notre Dame holds onto its admits more tightly: 64% 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 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
Research (Times HE) 4 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 Notre Dame
Notre Dame, IN · Private nonprofit
The University of Notre Dame has an impressive graduation rate of 96%. This means that the vast majority of students who start their studies here complete their degrees on time. Such a high rate indicates strong student support and academic rigor.
According to the Chetty/Opportunity Insights data, specific mobility outcomes for Notre Dame students are not available. However, the strong graduation rate and high earnings after ten years suggest that graduates from this institution tend to secure stable, well-paying jobs. The average earnings for alumni reach $99,980, reflecting the quality of education and career preparation they receive.
Prospective students should consider the financial aspects as well. The net price for attending Notre Dame is $26,780, with a median debt of $19,000 after graduation. While the Pell Grant rate is 14%, students who thrive here often pursue majors in Business, Engineering, Social Sciences, Biology, and Computer Science, aligning their education with strong job markets.
Rankings They Appear On
University of Notre Dame is featured on the Best Colleges in Indiana ranking.
Top Degree Programs
California Polytechnic's top program is Mechanical Engineering (23% of enrollment), while Notre Dame leads with Business Administration (27%).
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 Notre Dame).
The two schools feed different job markets. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is strongest in Computer Science & IT, while University of Notre Dame concentrates in Social Sciences. 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 University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame is harder to get into, admitting 11% 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 Notre Dame?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is more affordable, with an average net price of $16,665 after aid versus $26,780 at University of Notre Dame.
Do California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of Notre Dame graduates earn more?
University of Notre Dame graduates earn more: median earnings of $99,980 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 University of Notre Dame?
University of Notre Dame has the higher graduation rate, 96% versus 86%.
Should you choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of Notre Dame?
It depends on what you weigh most. Choose California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo if affordability and lower debt come first; choose University of Notre Dame 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.
More Comparisons
View all →Weigh Your Options
Best Colleges in America
How do California Polytechnic and Notre Dame stack up against regional and national alternatives when evaluated on pure socioeconomic mobility, graduate earnings, and long-term return on investment? Explore the full, verified dataset on our comprehensive rankings directory.
