CSU vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Chico in Chico, CA with San Diego State University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than CSU based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 15,257 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Chico is located in Chico, CA (Small City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• California State University Chico is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Chico 23:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

CSU vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, CSU or San Diego State? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Chico than San Diego State ($14,630 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California State University Chico are 28.4% lower than at San Diego State University ($16,500 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 3% more expensive for in-state tuition than CSU (about $256 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $8,472.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.2% higher at San Diego State than at California State University Chico (about $256 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $21,072.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at California State University Chico than at San Diego State University (66% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 4.7% larger than aid received by California State University Chico students ($12,053 vs. $11,509).

CSU vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, CSU or San Diego State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Diego State and CSU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 130 points higher than at CSU (1070).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at CSU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 970/1170; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Chico 18/24; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: CSU - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: CSU Dec 15, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.45 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at CSU (3.37).
• CSU has a higher acceptance rate (92.7%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.2% at CSU vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

CSU vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for CSU and San Diego State? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than California State University Chico's (59%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $1,000 more per year than CSU graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $52,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $1,651 lower median loan debt than CSU graduates ($15,349 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than CSU graduates ($158 vs. $175).
• More CSU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.