San Diego State vs. Utah

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 36,894 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

San Diego State vs. Utah Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or Utah? 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 Utah ($14,704 vs. $16,583).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 42.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($13,315 vs. $23,030).
• University of Utah is 10.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $892 more per year; $9,620.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.7% higher at Utah than at San Diego State University (about $9,532 more per year; $30,860.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at San Diego State University (73% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 5.7% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($12,744 vs. $12,053).

San Diego State vs. Utah Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of Utah (1290) is 90 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming San Diego State students have the same typical ACT composite (median estimate; 25) as students at Utah (25).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; University of Utah 1190/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of Utah 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; Utah - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Utah (3.64).
• Utah has a higher acceptance rate (86%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 26% at Utah.

San Diego State vs. Utah Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Utah's (55%).
• Graduates from University of Utah earn a median of about $7,900 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,300 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $349 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($155 vs. $158).
• More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (72% 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.