San Diego State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with John Paul the Great Catholic University in Escondido, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than John Paul the Great Catholic University based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 286 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); John Paul the Great Catholic University is in Escondido, CA (Large City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. John Paul the Great Catholic University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; John Paul the Great Catholic University 15:1.

San Diego State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University ($14,704 vs. $35,175).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at John Paul the Great Catholic University are 57.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($9,868 vs. $23,030).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University is 246.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $21,537 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.9% higher at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at San Diego State University (about $8,937 more per year; $30,265.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at John Paul the Great Catholic University than at San Diego State University (100% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by John Paul the Great Catholic University students is 40.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($16,982 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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 John Paul the Great Catholic University and San Diego State.

• John Paul the Great Catholic University reports an open admissions policy.
• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 80 points higher than at John Paul the Great Catholic University (1120).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at John Paul the Great Catholic University).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; John Paul the Great Catholic University 975/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; John Paul the Great Catholic University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; John Paul the Great Catholic University - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.26 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at John Paul the Great Catholic University (3.56).
• John Paul the Great Catholic University has a higher acceptance rate (79.6%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 43% at John Paul the Great Catholic University.

San Diego State vs. John Paul the Great Catholic University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and John Paul the Great Catholic University? 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).

• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $10,401 lower median loan debt than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($15,349 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $108 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than John Paul the Great Catholic University graduates ($158 vs. $266).

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.