San Diego State vs. UO

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than UO based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 24,404 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of Oregon is in Eugene, OR (Midsize City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Oregon is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of Oregon 19:1.

San Diego State vs. UO Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or UO? 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 UO ($14,704 vs. $24,605).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Oregon are 27.9% lower than at San Diego State University ($16,611 vs. $23,030).
• University of Oregon is 84.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $7,409 more per year; $16,137.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 109.1% higher at UO than at San Diego State University (about $23,270 more per year; $44,598.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Oregon than at San Diego State University (84% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 26.1% larger than aid received by University of Oregon students ($12,053 vs. $9,560).

San Diego State vs. UO Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Oregon (1250) is 50 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming UO 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; University of Oregon 1130/1360.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of Oregon 23/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; UO - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; UO Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UO (3.73).
• UO has a higher acceptance rate (88.3%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 14.4% at UO.

San Diego State vs. UO Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• The graduation rate at San Diego State is the same as at University of Oregon (66% vs. 66%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $4,400 more per year than UO graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $49,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $5,752 lower median loan debt than UO graduates ($15,349 vs. $21,101).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $60 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UO graduates ($158 vs. $218).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UO students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 62%)

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.