Cal Poly vs Brown University
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) and Brown University stand as two distinct academic institutions, each offering unique educational experiences. Cal Poly, a public polytechnic university, emphasizes hands-on learning and boasts a strong reputation in engineering, agriculture, and architecture. Brown, an Ivy League research university, is renowned for its liberal arts curriculum, open curriculum, and research opportunities. With Cal Poly's acceptance rate hovering around 28% and Brown's at 7%, the selectivity of these universities varies significantly. While Cal Poly's student body is predominantly composed of California residents, Brown attracts a diverse population from across the nation and the world. Explore the detailed comparison table to delve into further distinctions between these institutions, including popular majors, student demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Brown University |
![]() California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
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Overview |
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Location | Providence, Rhode Island | San Luis Obispo, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Private (Non Profit) | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Quarter |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 98.0% | 95.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 5.5% | 33.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$75
|
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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SAT range | 1460 - 1570 | N/A |
ACT range | 33 - 35 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 51.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 30.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 46,568 | 54,570 |
Total number of admissions given out | 2,568 | 18,008 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 1,705 | 4,884 |
Yield rate | 66.4% | 27.1% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Not required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Not required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price | $82,570 |
In state:
$29,680
Out of state:
$47,590
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Average net price | $25,028 | $20,708 |
Tuition | $60,944 |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$10,054
Meal plan:
$6,292
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Room/dormitory:
$9,642
Meal plan:
$6,138
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
46.0%
Average amount $55,420 |
55.0%
Average amount $5,988 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
9.0%
Average amount $5,159 |
24.0%
Average amount $5,023 |
Students taking out private loans |
2.0%
Average amount $27,008 |
1.0%
Average amount $22,714 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
7,349
Men 48.1% Women 51.9% |
21,128
Men 51.2% Women 48.8% |
Graduate students |
3,347
Men 50.0% Women 50.0% |
1,103
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 96.5% | 20.6% |
International students | 18.6% | 2.3% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | Suburb: Small |
Dormitory capacity | 5,013 | 8,147 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | Yes | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | New York California Mississippi New Jersey Texas | California Washington Colorado Oregon Texas |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 6:1 | 21:1 |
Institutional accreditation | New England Commission on Higher Education | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 95.8% | 85.4% |
Dropout rate | 3.7% | 12.5% |
Transferred out | N/A | 1.2% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Economics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Public Policy Analysis (Master's Degrees)
Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
International Relations and National Security Studies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
Political Science and Government (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Fire Protection (Master's Degrees)
Construction Engineering Technologies (Bachelor's Degrees)
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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