UCSD vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California San Diego in La Jolla, 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 San Diego is larger than San Diego State based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 41,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego 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 San Diego 19:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

UCSD vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD 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 University of California San Diego than San Diego State ($14,047 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 17.6% lower than at San Diego State University ($18,970 vs. $23,030).
• University of California San Diego is 92% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $8,030 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 138.9% higher at UCSD than at San Diego State University (about $29,630 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California San Diego than at San Diego State University (59% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 113.7% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($25,757 vs. $12,053).

UCSD vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD 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 UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 180 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have the same average high school GPA (3.82) as students at San Diego State (3.82).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

UCSD vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD 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 San Diego's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $14,500 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $3,151 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($15,349 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $33 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($158 vs. $191).
• More UCSD 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.