Head-to-head · 2026
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs San Jose State University
Compare average net price ($16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; $13,760 at San Jose State University), ROI score (13.62 vs 14.35), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($90,768 vs $78,988), and admissions selectivity (31.3% acceptance at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo; 84.6% at San Jose State University) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Jose State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.62 | 14.35 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,665 | $13,760 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,660 | $55,040 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $13,596 | $8,410 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $34,665 | $21,010 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $90,768 ✓ | $78,988 |
| Acceptance rate | 31.3% | 84.6% |
| Graduation rate | 86.4% ✓ | 69.2% |
| Retention rate | 95.6% ✓ | 86.8% |
| Median debt | $18,500 | $15,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 21,996 | 27,601 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Jose State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $7,529 ✓ | $9,730 |
| Family income $30–48k | $7,253 ✓ | $10,114 |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,896 ✓ | $12,099 |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,786 | $15,102 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $27,772 | $22,862 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | San Jose State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 14.2% | 17.8% |
| Psychology, General | 3.1% | 5.7% |
| Computer Engineering | 2.8% | 5.7% |
| Mechanical Engineering | 5.8% | 2.2% |
| Computer Science | 3.6% | 3.1% |
| Biology, General | 3% | 2.1% |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | 3% | 1.8% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 1% | 3.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
San Jose State University reports the lower average net price by $2,905 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $11,620 difference over four years ($55,040 vs $66,660).
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports $11,780 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($90,768 vs $78,988). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 95.6% at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo and 86.8% at San Jose State University. Median federal debt among completers is $18,500 vs $15,000, respectively.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs San Jose State University, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
San Jose State University is cheaper — average net price $13,760 per year vs $16,665 at California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo. The annual difference of $2,905 adds up to about $11,620 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $90,768 vs $78,988 at San Jose State University. The gap in the federal data is $11,780. This is not major-specific earnings.
Which school is harder to get into?
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo is more selective at 31.3% acceptance vs 84.6% at San Jose State University.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.