Side-by-side
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo vs Montana State University
The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.
Same c setting in the West, but more selective (31% vs 82%) — a stretch target if Montana State University is already on your list.
| California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo | Montana State University | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 31% | 82% |
| Net price (in-state) what the average family actually pays after aid | $13,596 | $8,460 |
| Net price (out-of-state) | $34,665 | $33,287 |
| Sticker tuition (in-state) | $13,596 | $8,460 |
| Sticker tuition (out-of-state) | $34,665 | $33,287 |
| Graduation rate | 86% | 57% |
| Total enrollment | 21,996 | 14,451 |
Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/california-polytechnic-state-university-san-luis-obispo-vs-montana-state-university.