Concordia University-Irvine vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare Concordia University Irvine in Irvine, 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 Concordia University-Irvine based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 3,658 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Concordia University Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Concordia University Irvine is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Concordia University Irvine 13:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Concordia University-Irvine vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Concordia University-Irvine 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 San Diego State University than Concordia University-Irvine ($14,704 vs. $29,845).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Concordia University Irvine are 38% lower than at San Diego State University ($14,270 vs. $23,030).
• Concordia University Irvine is 398.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $34,752 more per year; $43,480.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103.9% higher at Concordia University-Irvine than at San Diego State University (about $22,152 more per year; $43,480.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Concordia University Irvine than at San Diego State University (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Concordia University Irvine students is 140.3% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($28,966 vs. $12,053).

Concordia University-Irvine vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Concordia University-Irvine 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 Concordia University-Irvine.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 50 points higher than at Concordia University-Irvine (1150).
• Incoming Concordia University-Irvine students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at San Diego State (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Irvine 1030/1260; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Concordia University Irvine 21/29; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Concordia University-Irvine - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.21 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Concordia University-Irvine (3.61).
• Concordia University-Irvine has a higher acceptance rate (66%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 11.6% at Concordia University-Irvine vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Concordia University-Irvine vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Concordia University-Irvine 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 Concordia University Irvine's (51%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $5,100 more per year than Concordia University-Irvine graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $48,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $7,329 lower median loan debt than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($15,349 vs. $22,678).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Concordia University-Irvine graduates ($158 vs. $234).
• More Concordia University-Irvine 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.