UC Berkeley vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

University of California Berkeley is larger than San Diego State based on total student enrollment (45,882 students vs. 41,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Berkeley is located in Berkeley, CA (Midsize City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Berkeley is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Berkeley 18:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

UC Berkeley vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Berkeley or San Diego State? 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 UC Berkeley ($14,704 vs. $16,538).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego State University are 3% lower than at University of California Berkeley ($23,030 vs. $23,750).
• University of California Berkeley is 87.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $7,619 more per year; $16,347.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 137% higher at UC Berkeley than at San Diego State University (about $29,219 more per year; $50,547.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Berkeley than at San Diego State University (53% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Berkeley students is 145.6% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($29,608 vs. $12,053).

UC Berkeley vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Berkeley (1420) is 220 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming UC Berkeley students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (32 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 1310/1530; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Berkeley 30/35; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Berkeley - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Berkeley Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Berkeley students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.87) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than UC Berkeley (11%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 46% at UC Berkeley vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

UC Berkeley vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Berkeley and San Diego State? 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 California Berkeley's six-year graduation rate (90%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Berkeley earn a median of about $21,300 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($74,700 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Berkeley graduates have a $1,149 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($14,200 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, UC Berkeley graduates have an estimated $12 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($146 vs. $158).
• More UC Berkeley graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (79% 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.