San Diego State vs. USC

Comparable Facts

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

University of Southern California is larger than San Diego State based on total student enrollment (46,566 students vs. 41,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of Southern California is in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Southern California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of Southern California 9:1.

San Diego State vs. USC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or USC? 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 USC ($14,704 vs. $43,412).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Southern California are 13.5% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,931 vs. $23,030).
• University of Southern California is 726% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $63,369 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 238% higher at USC than at San Diego State University (about $50,769 more per year; $72,097.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Southern California than at San Diego State University (70% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Southern California students is 289.1% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($46,897 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. USC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Southern California (1500) is 300 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming USC students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (33 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 Southern California 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of Southern California 32/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; USC - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman USC students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.83) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than USC (9.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 43.3% at USC.

San Diego State vs. USC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and USC? 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 Southern California's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of Southern California earn a median of about $32,100 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($85,500 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $7,026 lower median loan debt than USC graduates ($15,349 vs. $22,375).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $73 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USC graduates ($158 vs. $231).
• More USC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (81% 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.