Cal Poly vs ISU Introduction
This comparison will delve into two prominent educational institutions: Cal Poly and ISU. These schools differ in various aspects such as costs, admissions, degrees, and more. In the sections below, we will provide an overview of each, followed by a more in-depth comparison of the two institutions.
Cal Poly Overview
Cal Poly, or California Polytechnic State University, is a public university located in San Luis Obispo, California. Established in 1901, Cal Poly is known for its polytechnic identity and “learn by doing” approach to education. The university offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in various fields, with engineering, architecture, and agriculture being among the most popular.
Cal Poly Costs & Tuition
Tuition at Cal Poly varies depending on whether a student is a California resident or not. For in-state students, tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year are approximately $10,677. Out-of-state students, on the other hand, pay an additional $264 per unit, resulting in a total of around $23,349 for the academic year. Other expenses such as housing, meals, and personal expenses can also add to the overall cost of attending Cal Poly.
Cal Poly Admissions
Cal Poly is known for its competitive admissions process. For the Fall 2020 admissions cycle, the university had an acceptance rate of 28.5%. Cal Poly considers various factors when reviewing applications, including high school GPA, coursework, test scores, extracurricular activities, and personal statements. It’s important to note that some programs at Cal Poly, such as engineering and architecture, are more competitive than others.
Cal Poly Degrees Offered
Cal Poly offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 60 majors and 70 minors available. The university is particularly renowned for its engineering, architecture, and agriculture programs. Other popular programs include business administration, graphic communication, and animal science.
Cal Poly Academics
Cal Poly is known for its “learn by doing” approach to academics, which emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world experiences. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 19:1, with an average class size of 30 students. This enables students to receive personalized attention and support from faculty members.
Cal Poly Diversity
Cal Poly has a diverse student body with students coming from various backgrounds. As of Fall 2020, the ethnic makeup of the student population was 54.1% White, 20.8% Hispanic/Latino, 13.2% Asian, 3.5% multiracial, 0.6% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 0.5% Black/African American, and 0.3% American Indian/Alaska Native.
Cal Poly Students
Cal Poly has over 21,000 students, with approximately 20,000 undergraduate and 1,000 graduate students. The student body is mostly full-time students, with 94% of undergraduates and 84% of graduate students enrolled full-time.
Cal Poly Campus
The Cal Poly campus is located in San Luis Obispo, a charming city on California’s central coast. The campus spans over 9,000 acres, making it one of the largest university campuses in the United States. The university offers various on-campus housing options, including residence halls and apartments.
Cal Poly Alumni
Cal Poly has a strong alumni community, with over 190,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Ozzie Smith, a former Major League Baseball player, and Roberta Williams, a video game designer and writer.
Cal Poly Rankings
Cal Poly consistently ranks highly in various national and international rankings. In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, Cal Poly was ranked #3 in Regional Universities West and #9 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
Cal Poly Outcomes
Cal Poly graduates have a strong track record of success in their careers. According to the university’s 2020-2021 post-graduate survey, 93% of respondents reported being employed, enrolled in graduate school, or pursuing other endeavors within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for Cal Poly graduates was $64,000.
ISU Overview
Idaho State University (ISU) is a public university located in Pocatello, Idaho. Established in 1901, ISU has evolved from a small academy to a comprehensive research university offering over 250 programs ranging from certificates to doctoral degrees. The university is known for its strong health sciences, engineering, and business programs.
ISU Costs & Tuition
Tuition at ISU varies depending on a student’s residency status. For the 2021-2022 academic year, in-state students pay approximately $8,200 in tuition and fees, while out-of-state students pay around $24,950. Additional expenses such as housing, meals, and personal expenses should also be considered when calculating the total cost of attendance.
ISU Admissions
ISU has a more lenient admissions process compared to Cal Poly. For Fall 2020, the acceptance rate at ISU was 78.3%. Applicants are evaluated based on factors such as high school GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities. The university also offers a “test-optional” admissions policy for students who do not wish to submit standardized test scores.
ISU Degrees Offered
ISU offers a wide range of academic programs, with over 250 programs across its six colleges. Some of the most popular programs include nursing, pharmacy, health sciences, engineering, and business.
ISU Academics
ISU maintains a commitment to high-quality academics and research opportunities. The university has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14:1, allowing for personalized attention and support from faculty members. ISU is classified as an R2 (Doctoral University – High Research Activity) institution by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education.
ISU Diversity
ISU’s student body is diverse, with students from various backgrounds and countries. As of Fall 2020, the ethnic makeup of the student population was 71.8% White, 12.5% Hispanic/Latino, 3.3% American Indian/Alaska Native, 1.6% Asian, 1.2% Black/African American, 0.4% Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, and 1.2% multiracial.
ISU Students
ISU has a total enrollment of over 12,000 students, with approximately 10,000 undergraduate and 2,000 graduate students. The majority of students are full-time, with 80% of undergraduates and 54% of graduate students enrolled full-time.
ISU Campus
ISU’s main campus is located in Pocatello, Idaho, with additional campuses in Idaho Falls, Meridian, and Twin Falls. The main campus covers over 1,000 acres and features state-of-the-art facilities, including research centers, libraries, and recreational facilities. On-campus housing options include residence halls and apartments.
ISU Alumni
ISU boasts a strong alumni network, with over 80,000 alumni worldwide. Notable alumni include Jared Gold, a fashion designer, and David M. Kennedy, a Pulitzer Prize-winning historian.
ISU Rankings
In the 2022 U.S. News & World Report’s Best Colleges rankings, ISU was ranked #298-#389 in National Universities and #154-#209 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs.
ISU Outcomes
ISU graduates have solid career outcomes, with many finding employment or continuing their education after graduation. According to the university’s 2019-2020 post-graduation survey, 93% of respondents reported being employed, enrolled in graduate school, or pursuing other endeavors within six months of graduation. The average starting salary for ISU graduates was $47,000.
Cal Poly vs ISU Cost Comparison
When comparing the costs of attending Cal Poly and ISU, several factors must be considered. For in-state students, ISU is the more affordable option, with tuition and fees for the 2021-2022 academic year at $8,200, compared to Cal Poly’s $10,677. However, for out-of-state students, the costs become more similar, with tuition and fees at ISU totaling $24,950 and Cal Poly at $23,349.
It’s important to consider additional expenses such as housing, meals, and personal expenses when calculating the total cost of attendance for each institution. Financial aid and scholarships may also be available to help offset costs.
Cal Poly vs ISU Admissions Difficulty
Cal Poly has a more competitive admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 28.5% for the Fall 2020 admissions cycle. This is in contrast to ISU’s acceptance rate of 78.3%. Both schools consider factors such as high school GPA, test scores, and extracurricular activities in their admissions processes. However, it’s worth noting that Cal Poly tends to have more stringent admissions requirements, particularly for its engineering and architecture programs.
Cal Poly vs ISU Academic Difficulty
Both Cal Poly and ISU are committed to providing high-quality academic programs and research opportunities for their students. Cal Poly’s “learn by doing” approach emphasizes hands-on learning and real-world experiences, while ISU’s R2 research classification highlights the university’s focus on research and innovation.
The student-to-faculty ratios at both schools (19:1 at Cal Poly and 14:1 at ISU) allow for personalized attention and support from faculty. However, Cal Poly’s reputation for rigorous engineering, architecture, and agriculture programs may make it a more challenging academic environment for some students.
Cal Poly vs ISU Outcome Comparison
Both Cal Poly and ISU graduates enjoy positive post-graduation outcomes. According to each university’s most recent post-graduation surveys, 93% of respondents from both schools reported being employed, enrolled in graduate school, or pursuing other endeavors within six months of graduation.
However, there is a noticeable difference in average starting salaries for graduates. Cal Poly graduates reported an average starting salary of $64,000, while ISU graduates reported an average starting salary of $47,000. This may be due in part to the different industries and fields in which graduates find employment, as well as the regional differences in salary expectations.
