Cal Poly San Luis Obispo vs UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Barbara is the more selective of the two at 26%, versus 28% at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. 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 vs UC Santa Barbara: the differences that matter
How Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Santa Barbara stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Santa Barbara are almost equally selective (28% vs 26%), 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 a similar mix of factors, while UC Santa Barbara puts more weight on application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities. 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 UC Santa Barbara's is around 1430. Admitted students at UC Santa Barbara 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.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cal Poly San Luis Obispo or UC Santa Barbara harder to get into?
UC Santa Barbara is harder to get into, with a 26% acceptance rate versus 28% at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
What's the difference in SAT scores between Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Santa Barbara?
Cal Poly San Luis Obispo's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1420, and UC Santa Barbara's is around 1430.
What are my chances at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and UC Santa Barbara?
That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.