San Diego State vs. SCU

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than SCU based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 9,728 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Santa Clara University is in Santa Clara, CA (Midsize City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Santa Clara University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; Santa Clara University 11:1.

San Diego State vs. SCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or SCU? 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 SCU ($14,704 vs. $53,883).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Santa Clara University are 13.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,893 vs. $23,030).
• Santa Clara University is 602.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $52,565 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 187.4% higher at SCU than at San Diego State University (about $39,965 more per year; $61,293.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Santa Clara University than at San Diego State University (71% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Santa Clara University students is 135.4% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($28,368 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. SCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Santa Clara University (1420) is 220 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming SCU students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; Santa Clara University 1350/1490.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; Santa Clara University 31/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; SCU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; SCU Jan 7, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at SCU (3.67).
• SCU has a higher acceptance rate (48%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 17.7% at SCU.

San Diego State vs. SCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and SCU? 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).

• Santa Clara University's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from Santa Clara University earn a median of about $28,500 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($81,900 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $6,151 lower median loan debt than SCU graduates ($15,349 vs. $21,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $64 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SCU graduates ($158 vs. $222).
• More SCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.