San Diego State vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

San Diego State vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or San Jose 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 Jose State University than San Diego State ($13,892 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 8.9% lower than at San Diego State University ($20,971 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 3.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $318 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 1.5% higher at San Diego State than at San Jose State University (about $318 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at San Diego State University (63% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 2.5% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($12,353 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 70 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

San Diego State vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $6,500 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $349 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($155 vs. $158).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.