Loyola Marymount vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, 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 Loyola Marymount based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 10,179 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Loyola Marymount University is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Loyola Marymount University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Loyola Marymount University 10:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Loyola Marymount vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount ($14,704 vs. $59,926).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Loyola Marymount University are 4.4% lower than at San Diego State University ($22,026 vs. $23,030).
• Loyola Marymount University is 614.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $53,629 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 192.4% higher at Loyola Marymount than at San Diego State University (about $41,029 more per year; $62,357.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Loyola Marymount University than at San Diego State University (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Loyola Marymount University students is 101.8% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($24,318 vs. $12,053).

Loyola Marymount vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Loyola Marymount 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 Loyola Marymount.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Loyola Marymount University (1350) is 150 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming Loyola Marymount students have a 5 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (30 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 1260/1430; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Loyola Marymount University 28/32; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Loyola Marymount - Test optional; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Loyola Marymount Jan 15, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman Loyola Marymount students have a 0.1 point higher average high school GPA (3.92) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• Loyola Marymount has a higher acceptance rate (45.1%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.8% at Loyola Marymount vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Loyola Marymount vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Loyola Marymount 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).

• Loyola Marymount University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from Loyola Marymount University earn a median of about $12,300 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,700 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $6,319 lower median loan debt than Loyola Marymount graduates ($15,349 vs. $21,668).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Loyola Marymount graduates ($158 vs. $224).
• More Loyola Marymount graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.