Cal Poly San Luis Obispo vs Lafayette College

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is the more selective of the two at 31%, versus 31% at Lafayette College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Selective
31%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1420
Public · California
Lafayette College
Selective
31%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1410
Private · Pennsylvania

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo vs Lafayette College: the differences that matter

How Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Lafayette College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Lafayette College are almost equally selective (31% vs 31%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo leans more on state residency, while Lafayette College puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, interview. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420 and Lafayette College's is around 1410. Admitted students at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorCal Poly San Luis ObispoLafayette College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essaynot consideredimportant
Recommendationsnot consideredvery important
Extracurricular activitiesconsideredimportant
Character / personal qualitiesconsideredimportant
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or Lafayette College harder to get into?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo is harder to get into, with a 31% acceptance rate versus 31% at Lafayette College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Lafayette College?

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420, and Lafayette College's is around 1410.

What are my chances at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and Lafayette College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.