San Diego State vs. Rowan University

Deciding between San Diego State University and Rowan University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

San Diego State University
Rowan University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • San Diego State San Diego, CA
  • Rowan University Glassboro, NJ
  • Setting
  • San Diego State Large City
  • Rowan University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • San Diego State 41,137
  • Rowan University 21,026
  • Type
  • San Diego State Public 4 Year
  • Rowan University Public 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • San Diego State #353
  • Rowan University #270
  • Religious Affiliation
  • San Diego State -
  • Rowan University -
  • Status
  • San Diego State Non-profit
  • Rowan University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • San Diego State
  • Rowan University

  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • San Diego State $8,728
  • Rowan University $16,574
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • San Diego State $21,328
  • Rowan University $26,932
  • Room & Board
  • San Diego State $23,030
  • Rowan University $16,928
  • Average Net Price
  • San Diego State $14,704
  • Rowan University $23,761
  • Average Grant Aid
  • San Diego State $12,053
  • Rowan University $12,419
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • San Diego State 47%
  • Rowan University 93%

  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • San Diego State 89,972
  • Rowan University 19,593
  • Admitted
  • San Diego State 32,561
  • Rowan University 15,216
  • Acceptance Rate
  • San Diego State 36.2%
  • Rowan University 77.7%
  • Enrolled
  • San Diego State 20.4%
  • Rowan University 23%
  • Typical SAT score
  • San Diego State 1200
  • Rowan University 1210
  • Typical ACT score
  • San Diego State 25
  • Rowan University 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • San Diego State 3.82
  • Rowan University 3.44
  • Typical High School Grades
  • San Diego State A-
  • Rowan University B+
  • Admissions Standards
  • San Diego State Challenging
  • Rowan University Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • San Diego State High
  • Rowan University
  • ACT Range
  • San Diego State 22/29
  • Rowan University 23/29
  • SAT Range
  • San Diego State 1090/1300
  • Rowan University 1110/1310
  • Submit Test Scores
  • San Diego State Test-free
  • Rowan University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
  • Rowan University

  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • San Diego State 27:1
  • Rowan University 17:1
  • Popular Majors
  • San Diego State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Rowan University
    • Education (17%)
    • Business (16%)
    • Communication (10%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (6%)
    • Social Sciences (6%)

  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • San Diego State 66%
  • Rowan University 68%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • San Diego State $53,400
  • Rowan University $53,300
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • San Diego State 65%
  • Rowan University 67%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • San Diego State $15,349
  • Rowan University $20,000
  • Median Loan Payment
  • San Diego State $158
  • Rowan University $206

  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • San Diego State 43%
  • Rowan University 49%
  • % Women
  • San Diego State 57%
  • Rowan University 51%
  • Racial Diversity
  • San Diego State Very High
  • Rowan University Medium
  • HBCU
  • San Diego State No
  • Rowan University No
  • % White
  • San Diego State 34%
  • Rowan University 69%
  • % Asian
  • San Diego State 14%
  • Rowan University 4%
  • % Black
  • San Diego State 4%
  • Rowan University 10%
  • % Hispanic
  • San Diego State 31%
  • Rowan University 10%
  • % Native American
  • San Diego State 0%
  • Rowan University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • San Diego State 0%
  • Rowan University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • San Diego State 7%
  • Rowan University 3%
  • % International
  • San Diego State 6%
  • Rowan University 1%
  • % Unknown Race
  • San Diego State 4%
  • Rowan University 3%

  • Students

  • % In-State
  • San Diego State 74%
  • Rowan University 89%
  • % Out-of-State
  • San Diego State 23%
  • Rowan University 7%

  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • San Diego State Yes
  • Rowan University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • San Diego State No
  • Rowan University No
  • Meal Plan
  • San Diego State Yes
  • Rowan University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • San Diego State No
  • Rowan University No
  • Daycare Facility
  • San Diego State Yes
  • Rowan University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with Rowan University in Glassboro, NJ on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than Rowan University based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 21,026 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Rowan University is in Glassboro, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Rowan University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; Rowan University 17:1.

San Diego State vs. Rowan University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or Rowan 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 Rowan University ($14,704 vs. $23,761).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Rowan University are 26.5% lower than at San Diego State University ($16,928 vs. $23,030).
  • Rowan University is 89.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $7,846 more per year; $16,574.00 vs. $8,728.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 26.3% higher at Rowan University than at San Diego State University (about $5,604 more per year; $26,932.00 vs. $21,328.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Rowan University than at San Diego State University (93% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Rowan University students is 3% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($12,419 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. Rowan University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or Rowan 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 Rowan University and San Diego State.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Rowan University (1210) is 10 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
  • Incoming Rowan University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; Rowan University 1110/1310.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; Rowan University 23/29.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; Rowan University - Test optional.
  • Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.38 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Rowan University (3.44).
  • Rowan University has a higher acceptance rate (77.7%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 23% at Rowan University.

San Diego State vs. Rowan University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and Rowan 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).

  • Rowan University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
  • Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Rowan University graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $53,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $4,651 lower median loan debt than Rowan University graduates ($15,349 vs. $20,000).
  • Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rowan University graduates ($158 vs. $206).
  • More Rowan University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (67% 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.