San Diego State vs. USF

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than USF based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 8,913 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

San Diego State vs. USF Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or USF? 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 USF ($14,704 vs. $45,443).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Francisco are 14.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,764 vs. $23,030).
• University of San Francisco is 593.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $51,764 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 183.6% higher at USF than at San Diego State University (about $39,164 more per year; $60,492.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Francisco than at San Diego State University (95% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Francisco students is 188.1% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($34,723 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. USF Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or USF? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between USF and San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of San Francisco (1290) is 90 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming USF students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (27 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: San Diego State University 1090/1300; University of San Francisco 1190/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: San Diego State University 22/29; University of San Francisco 25/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; USF - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; USF Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman San Diego State students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at USF (3.57).
• USF has a higher acceptance rate (61.7%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 6% at USF.

San Diego State vs. USF Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and USF? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of San Francisco's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of San Francisco earn a median of about $17,000 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($70,400 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $9,651 lower median loan debt than USF graduates ($15,349 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $100 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF graduates ($158 vs. $258).
• More USF 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.