Cal Poly vs Harvard
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) and Harvard University stand as two distinct beacons of higher education, each offering a unique blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life. While both institutions share a commitment to providing students with a transformative educational experience, they differ significantly in several key aspects. Cal Poly, a public polytechnic university, boasts an acceptance rate of 31%, making it more accessible to a broader range of students. Harvard, on the other hand, is a highly selective private research university with an acceptance rate of just 5%. In terms of popular majors, Cal Poly emphasizes hands-on learning in fields such as engineering, agriculture, and business, while Harvard offers a diverse range of liberal arts and sciences programs. Explore the comprehensive comparison table below to delve deeper into the differences between these two esteemed institutions, considering factors such as student body demographics, graduation rates, and more, to determine which university best aligns with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo |
![]() Harvard University |
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Overview |
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Location | San Luis Obispo, California | Cambridge, Massachusetts |
Campus setting | Suburb: Small | City: Midsize |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Private (Non Profit) |
Calendar system | Quarter | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 95.0% | 96.0% |
![]() |
No | Yes |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 33.0% | 4.0% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
|
Undergraduate:
$75
Graduate:
$105
|
SAT range | N/A | 1480 - 1580 |
ACT range | N/A | 33 - 36 |
Students submitting SAT score | 54.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 31.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 54,570 | 57,786 |
Total number of admissions given out | 18,008 | 2,318 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 4,884 | 1,951 |
Yield rate | 27.1% | 84.2% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Not required |
Recommendation letters | Not required | 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 |
In state:
$29,680
Out of state:
$47,590
|
$78,028 |
Average net price | $20,708 | $13,910 |
Tuition |
In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
|
$51,143 |
Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$9,642
Meal plan:
$6,138
|
Room/dormitory:
$11,705
Meal plan:
$7,236
|
Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
55.0%
Average amount $5,988 |
56.0%
Average amount $59,840 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
24.0%
Average amount $5,023 |
3.0%
Average amount $5,180 |
Students taking out private loans |
1.0%
Average amount $22,714 |
2.0%
Average amount $8,080 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
21,128
Men 51.2% Women 48.8% |
9,579
Men 49.0% Women 51.0% |
Graduate students |
1,103
Men 50.4% Women 49.6% |
21,766
Men 46.3% Women 53.7% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Moderate
|
Moderate
|
Out-of-state students | 20.6% | N/A |
International students | 2.3% | 23.9% |
Campus local/setting | Suburb: Small | City: Midsize |
Dormitory capacity | 8,147 | 12,874 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | Yes |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | California Washington Colorado Oregon Texas | New York California Texas Illinois New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 21:1 | 7:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission | New England Commission on Higher Education |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 85.4% | 96.7% |
Dropout rate | 12.5% | 2.0% |
Transferred out | 1.2% | N/A |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
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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Statistics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Law (First Professional Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (First Professional Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Advanced/Graduate Dentistry and Oral Sciences (Graduate/Professional Certificates)
Public Health (Master's Degrees)
Ecology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population Biology (Master's Degrees)
Applied Mathematics (Bachelor's Degrees)
Education, General (Doctoral Degrees)
Dentistry (First Professional Degrees)
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