San Diego State vs. USD

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 9,714 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of San Diego 13:1.

San Diego State vs. USD Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or USD? 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 USD ($14,704 vs. $37,918).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Diego are 13.5% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,918 vs. $23,030).
• University of San Diego is 581.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $50,758 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 178.9% higher at USD than at San Diego State University (about $38,158 more per year; $59,486.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at San Diego State University (84% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 239.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($40,965 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. USD Admissions comparison

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

• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; USD - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; USD Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USD students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• USD has a higher acceptance rate (52.4%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 12.4% at USD.

San Diego State vs. USD Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• University of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (75%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of San Diego earn a median of about $16,800 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,200 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $7,555 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($15,349 vs. $22,904).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($158 vs. $236).
• More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (78% 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.