San Diego State vs. Ohio University

Should I go to San Diego State University or Ohio University Main Campus? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if San Diego State or Ohio University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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San Diego State University vs. Ohio University Main Campus comparison
San Diego State University Ohio University Main Campus College 3 College 4
San Diego State University Ohio University Main Campus
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Overview

San Diego State Ohio University
Location San Diego, CA Athens, OH
Setting Large City Distant Town
Enrollment 39,241 24,937
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #337 #498
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sdsu.edu ohio.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

San Diego State Ohio University
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $13,746
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $24,114
Room & Board $21,630 $13,594
Avg Net Price $19,500 $20,550
Avg Grant Aid $5,459 $8,616
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

San Diego State Ohio University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 82,800 25,648
Admitted 28,517 21,739
Acceptance Rate 34.4% 84.8%
Enrolled % 21.6% 21.1%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.59
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition High
ACT Range 22/29 22/28
SAT Range 1090/1300 1100/1290
Submit Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Nov 30, 2025 Feb 1, 2026

Academics

San Diego State Ohio University
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 18:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Business (18%)
  • Health Professions (15%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Education (8%)
  • Social Sciences (7%)

Outcomes

San Diego State Ohio University
Graduation Rate 66% 65%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,400 $44,500
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 51%
Median Student Loan Debt $15,349 $20,500
Median Loan Payment $158 $211

Diversity

San Diego State Ohio University
% Men 5% 9%
% Women 8% 14%
Racial Diversity Very High Very Low
HBCU No No
% White 34% 83%
% Black 4% 5%
% Hispanic 31% 3%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 6% 3%
% Unknown Race 4% 1%

Students

San Diego State Ohio University
% In-State 75% 86%
% Out-of-State 23% 13%

Campus

San Diego State Ohio University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes No Yes
Daycare Facility Yes No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • San Diego State University is larger than than Ohio University based on total student enrollment (39,241 students vs. 24,937 students)

San Diego State vs. Ohio University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or Ohio University?

  • Ohio University Main Campus is 139.4% more expensive to attend than San Diego State for in-state tuition ($13,746.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 36.8% higher at Ohio University than San Diego State University ($24,114.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Diego State University than Ohio University ($19,500 vs. $20,550)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Ohio University Main Campus are 59.1% lower than costs at San Diego State University ($13,594 vs. $21,630)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at San Diego State University than Ohio University Main Campus (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Ohio University Main Campus students is 57.8% larger than aid received San Diego State University ($8,616 vs. $5,459)

San Diego State vs. Ohio University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or Ohio University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between Ohio University or San Diego State .

  • The average SAT score at San Diego State University (1130) is 22 points higher than at Ohio University (1108)
  • Incoming San Diego State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Ohio University (24)
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Ohio University (3.59)
  • Ohio University has a higher acceptance rate (84.8%) than San Diego State (34.4%)

San Diego State vs. Ohio University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, San Diego State or Ohio University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between Ohio University and San Diego State.

  • The graduation rate at San Diego State is higher than Ohio University Main Campus (66% vs. 65%)
  • Graduates from San Diego State University earn on average $8,900 more per year than Ohio University graduates after ten years. ($53,400 vs. $44,500)
  • San Diego State University students graduate with a $5,151 lower median federal student loan debt than Ohio University graduates. ($15,349 vs. $20,500)
  • San Diego State graduates are paying $53 less per month on federal student loans than Ohio University graduates. ($158 vs. $211)
  • More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Ohio University students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 51%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/