PUC vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare Pacific Union College in Angwin, 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 PUC based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 974 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Pacific Union College is located in Angwin, CA (Rural Fringe setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Pacific Union College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Pacific Union College 12:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

PUC vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, PUC 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 PUC ($14,704 vs. $22,767).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Pacific Union College are 57.4% lower than at San Diego State University ($9,816 vs. $23,030).
• Pacific Union College is 325.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $28,445 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 74.3% higher at PUC than at San Diego State University (about $15,845 more per year; $37,173.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Pacific Union College than at San Diego State University (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Pacific Union College students is 120.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($26,629 vs. $12,053).

PUC vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, PUC 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 PUC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 140 points higher than at PUC (1060).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at PUC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 930/1190; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Pacific Union College 20/24; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: PUC - 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 0.58 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at PUC (3.24).
• PUC has a higher acceptance rate (47.3%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14% at PUC vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

PUC vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for PUC 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 Pacific Union College's (45%).
• Graduates from Pacific Union College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,200 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $14,651 lower median loan debt than PUC graduates ($15,349 vs. $30,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $152 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than PUC graduates ($158 vs. $310).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former PUC students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 57%)

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.