Differences between California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)

Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let’s go through a general overview of the high-level differences between California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC). The table below summarizes some of the most important statistics around competitiveness, costs, etc.

WARNINGS: Based on net price alone, University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) is the cheaper option. However, this sticker price may not adequately represent the difference in living costs between San Luis Obispo and Santa Cruz. Cal Poly is in a Mountain and UC Santa Cruz is in a Mountain - sometimes off campus meals and housing costs can dramatically vary between schools

Is California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo or University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) Harder to get into? Which school is easier to get into?

If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.

Therefore, the acceptance rate alone is not a good indicator that California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is a better school or will be more difficult for you specifically to get into. On the flipside, University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) is easier to get into based on acceptance rate alone.

You can use the below college admissions predictor to determine your likelihood of acceptance at either school.