<p>What is your ultimate goal, working in the industry or research. If working Cal Poly wins, if research UCLA wins. If the $5,000 difference is because you could live at home, don’t, the college experience truly requires living on campus. Cal Poly will have much smaller class sizes for lower division classes making it more friendly and more comfortable for a shy person. I don’t truly know UCLA’s reputation for friendliness but know that Cal Poly is amazing they are even nice to an old lady like me. Cal Poly has the vibes of a small college, but the benefits of a large college (more majors, more choice in classes, more students to fine friends from, etc.).</p>