San Diego Christian College vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego Christian College in Santee, 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 San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego Christian College is located in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• San Diego Christian 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: San Diego Christian College 9:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

San Diego Christian College vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College ($14,704 vs. $21,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 51.9% lower than at San Diego State University ($11,080 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego Christian College is 220.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $19,284 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 31.3% higher at San Diego Christian College than at San Diego State University (about $6,684 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at San Diego State University (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Christian College students is 54.2% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($18,584 vs. $12,053).

San Diego Christian College vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 200 points higher than at San Diego Christian College (1000).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at San Diego Christian College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego Christian College 900/1098; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego Christian College 18/24; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego Christian College - Test optional; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.56 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.8% at San Diego Christian College vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

San Diego Christian College vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego Christian College 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 San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $13,900 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $7,757 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($15,349 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $80 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($158 vs. $238).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 47%)

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.