<p>I used the word "bulk" in regards to the entire CSU system, not specifically to Cal Poly.</p>
<p>I see I see.</p>
<p>Well how does it stack up vs. UCSB?</p>
<p>Relative to what?</p>
<p>The computer science major and overall quality of living/education.</p>
<p>When the survey was filled by two SEPARATE groups. Ralph4, by merging the two, you were implicitly assuming the group from the research universities (PhD programs) would give the kind of average score CalPoly or whatever is now getting. That's simply NOT true. Chances are that group is going to give significantly lower score if asked but fortunately, US News doesn't mix groups. For example, people from LACs rank other LACs, not national universities.</p>
<p>Sam Lee, that may be, but the USNEWS Engineering lists are subjective anyway and based on nothing but the opinions of those surveyed. An objective measure that can be used to compare schools is the admission statistics of incoming freshman and this information is available at the College Board website. According to those statistics, Cal Poly admits higer caliber new students than many top ranked research universities including UC Santa Barbara, Pennsylvania State U.University Park, Rutgers, UC Irvine, Texas A&M Univ, Iowa State University, University of ColoradoBoulder, UC Davis, North Carolina State U., Raleigh, Michigan State University, Purdue Univ., Univ. of Arizona, and Arizona State University. </p>
<p>The high caliber of students that Cal Poly attracts says alot about its strength, quality, and reputation.</p>
<p>imgoing2college, from what I've read in other threads Cal Poly has a better CS undergraduate program. Search this and the UCSB forum and see for yourself. As far as the overall quality of education/living both are outstanding and quite different. Birdkiller's description of the differences between the UC and CS systems tells you that UCSB classes will probably take a more theoretical approach and be taught by TAs and/or profs concerned about getting published while Cal Poly you'll encounter lecturers and profs with more of a hands on teaching and industry perspective. UCSB wants you to get into a great graduate school. Cal Poly wants you to be able to get a great job. As far as environment is concerned Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo are two very different places and there are lots of discussions about them in this and other forums. Visit each and you'll quickly figure out what's right for you. My son had the same choice as you and the visits made all the difference. Good luck.</p>