Azusa Pacific University vs. San Diego State

Should I go to Azusa Pacific University or San Diego State University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Azusa Pacific University or San Diego State is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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Azusa Pacific University vs. San Diego State University comparison
Azusa Pacific University San Diego State University College 3 College 4
San Diego State University
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Overview

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
Location Azusa, CA San Diego, CA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 6,487 39,241
Type Private 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #230 #337
Religious Affiliation Undenominational - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website apu.edu sdsu.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
Tuition (In State) $42,900 $5,742
Tuition (Out of State) $42,900 $17,622
Room & Board $9,724 $21,630
Avg Net Price $26,117 $19,500
Avg Grant Aid $28,652 $5,459
% Receiving Grant Aid 100% 94%

Admission

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 3,850 82,800
Admitted 3,060 28,517
Acceptance Rate 79.5% 34.4%
Enrolled % 13.7% 21.6%
Avg High School GPA 3.74 3.82
Typical High School Grades A- A-
Admissions Standards Average Challenging
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 18/26 22/29
SAT Range 994/1314 1090/1300
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
Application Deadline Jun 1, 2026 Nov 30, 2025

Academics

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 22:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (21%)
  • Health Professions (21%)
  • Liberal Arts and Humanities (14%)
  • Communication (9%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)

Outcomes

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
Graduation Rate 63% 66%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $54,200 $53,400
Making Student Loan Payments 66% 65%
Median Student Loan Debt $22,500 $15,349
Median Loan Payment $232 $158

Diversity

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
% Men 15% 5%
% Women 39% 8%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 44% 34%
% Black 5% 4%
% Hispanic 29% 31%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 1% 0%
% Two or More Races 8% 7%
% International 2% 6%
% Unknown Race 2% 4%

Students

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
% In-State 66% 75%
% Out-of-State 15% 23%

Campus

Azusa Pacific University San Diego State
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No No
Daycare Facility No Yes
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • San Diego State University is larger than than Azusa Pacific University based on total student enrollment (39,241 students vs. 6,487 students)

Azusa Pacific University vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Azusa Pacific University or San Diego State?

  • Azusa Pacific University is 647.1% more expensive to attend than San Diego State for in-state tuition ($42,900.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 143.4% higher at Azusa Pacific University than San Diego State University ($42,900.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Diego State University than Azusa Pacific University ($19,500 vs. $26,117)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Azusa Pacific University are 122.4% lower than costs at San Diego State University ($9,724 vs. $21,630)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at Azusa Pacific University than San Diego State University (100% vs. 94%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Azusa Pacific University students is 424.9% larger than aid received San Diego State University ($28,652 vs. $5,459)

Azusa Pacific University vs. San Diego State Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Azusa Pacific University or San Diego State? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between San Diego State or Azusa Pacific University .

  • The average SAT score at San Diego State University (1130) is 50 points higher than at Azusa Pacific University (1080)
  • Incoming San Diego State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Azusa Pacific University (24)
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Azusa Pacific University (3.74)
  • Azusa Pacific University has a higher acceptance rate (79.5%) than San Diego State (34.4%)

Azusa Pacific University vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Azusa Pacific University or San Diego State? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between San Diego State and Azusa Pacific University.

  • The graduation rate at San Diego State is higher than Azusa Pacific University (66% vs. 63%)
  • Graduates from Azusa Pacific University earn on average $800 more per year than San Diego State graduates after ten years. ($54,200 vs. $53,400)
  • San Diego State University students graduate with a $7,151 lower median federal student loan debt than Azusa Pacific University graduates. ($15,349 vs. $22,500)
  • San Diego State graduates are paying $74 less per month on federal student loans than Azusa Pacific University graduates. ($158 vs. $232)
  • More Azusa Pacific University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (66% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/