UC Davis vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than UC Davis based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 40,065 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Davis is located in Davis, CA (Small Suburban setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Davis 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 Davis 22:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

UC Davis vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UC Davis 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 Davis ($14,704 vs. $17,270).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Davis are 15.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,426 vs. $23,030).
• University of California Davis is 92.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $8,046 more per year; $16,774.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 139% higher at UC Davis than at San Diego State University (about $29,646 more per year; $50,974.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Davis than at San Diego State University (60% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Davis students is 104% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($24,591 vs. $12,053).

UC Davis vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UC Davis 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 Davis.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Davis (1280) is 80 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming UC Davis students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 1160/1400; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Davis 25/33; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UC Davis - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UC Davis Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UC Davis students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (4.0) than students at San Diego State (3.82).
• UC Davis has a higher acceptance rate (41.8%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 16.4% at UC Davis vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

UC Davis vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UC Davis 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 Davis's six-year graduation rate (82%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Davis earn a median of about $11,800 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($65,200 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of California Davis graduates have a $673 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($14,676 vs. $15,349).
• Among borrowers, UC Davis graduates have an estimated $7 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($151 vs. $158).
• More UC Davis graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.