San Diego State vs. University at Albany- SUNY

Should I go to San Diego State University or SUNY at Albany? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if San Diego State or University at Albany- SUNY 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.

Add a college to compare up to four schools
San Diego State University vs. SUNY at Albany comparison
San Diego State University SUNY at Albany College 3 College 4
San Diego State University SUNY at Albany
Remove Remove +Add +Add

Overview

San Diego State University at Albany- SUNY
Location San Diego, CA Albany, NY
Setting Large City Small City
Enrollment 39,241 16,880
Type Public 4 Year Public 4 Year
National Ranking #337 #242
Religious Affiliation - - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website sdsu.edu albany.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

San Diego State University at Albany- SUNY
Tuition (In State) $5,742 $7,070
Tuition (Out of State) $17,622 $25,660
Room & Board $21,630 $16,182
Avg Net Price $19,500 $19,165
Avg Grant Aid $5,459 $9,747
% Receiving Grant Aid 94% 93%

Admission

San Diego State University at Albany- SUNY
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 82,800 30,740
Admitted 28,517 21,477
Acceptance Rate 34.4% 69.9%
Enrolled % 21.6% 13.2%
Avg High School GPA 3.82 3.3
Typical High School Grades A- B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition High Low
ACT Range 22/29 22/31
SAT Range 1090/1300 1120/1320
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 University at Albany- SUNY
Student to Faculty Ratio 22:1 17:1
Popular Majors
  • Business (23%)
  • Social Sciences (13%)
  • Psychology (8%)
  • English and Literature (7%)
  • Health Professions (7%)
  • Social Sciences (20%)
  • English and Literature (14%)
  • Business (13%)
  • Psychology (12%)
  • Biology (9%)

Outcomes

San Diego State University at Albany- SUNY
Graduation Rate 66% 64%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $53,400 $55,800
Making Student Loan Payments 65% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $15,349 $21,065
Median Loan Payment $158 $217

Diversity

San Diego State University at Albany- SUNY
% Men 5% 11%
% Women 8% 17%
Racial Diversity Very High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 34% 49%
% Black 4% 16%
% Hispanic 31% 15%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 7% 3%
% International 6% 6%
% Unknown Race 4% 2%

Students

San Diego State University at Albany- SUNY
% In-State 75% 93%
% Out-of-State 23% 4%

Campus

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

Comparable Facts

  • San Diego State University is larger than than University at Albany- SUNY based on total student enrollment (39,241 students vs. 16,880 students)

San Diego State vs. University at Albany- SUNY Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or University at Albany- SUNY?

  • SUNY at Albany is 23.1% more expensive to attend than San Diego State for in-state tuition ($7,070.00 vs. $5,742.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 45.6% higher at University at Albany- SUNY than San Diego State University ($25,660.00 vs. $17,622.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at SUNY at Albany than San Diego State ($19,165 vs. $19,500)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at SUNY at Albany are 33.7% lower than costs at San Diego State University ($16,182 vs. $21,630)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at San Diego State University than SUNY at Albany (94% vs. 93%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by SUNY at Albany students is 78.5% larger than aid received San Diego State University ($9,747 vs. $5,459)

San Diego State vs. University at Albany- SUNY Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at San Diego State University (1130) is 39 points higher than at University at Albany- SUNY (1091)
  • Incoming San Diego State students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (24)
  • Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.52 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at University at Albany- SUNY (3.3)
  • University at Albany- SUNY has a higher acceptance rate (69.9%) than San Diego State (34.4%)

San Diego State vs. University at Albany- SUNY Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, San Diego State or University at Albany- SUNY? 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 University at Albany- SUNY and San Diego State.

  • The graduation rate at San Diego State is higher than SUNY at Albany (66% vs. 64%)
  • Graduates from SUNY at Albany earn on average $2,400 more per year than San Diego State graduates after ten years. ($55,800 vs. $53,400)
  • San Diego State University students graduate with a $5,716 lower median federal student loan debt than University at Albany- SUNY graduates. ($15,349 vs. $21,065)
  • San Diego State graduates are paying $59 less per month on federal student loans than University at Albany- SUNY graduates. ($158 vs. $217)
  • More University at Albany- SUNY graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 65%)

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