UCSD vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

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

University of California San Diego is larger than San Jose State based on total student enrollment (44,256 students vs. 37,661 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California San Diego is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California San Diego 19:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

UCSD vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSD or San Jose 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 Jose State University than UCSD ($13,892 vs. $14,047).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California San Diego are 9.5% lower than at San Jose State University ($18,970 vs. $20,971).
• University of California San Diego is 99.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $8,348 more per year; $16,758.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.5% higher at UCSD than at San Jose State University (about $29,948 more per year; $50,958.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Jose State University than at University of California San Diego (63% vs. 59%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California San Diego students is 108.5% larger than aid received by San Jose State University students ($25,757 vs. $12,353).

UCSD vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSD or San Jose 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 Jose State and UCSD.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California San Diego (1380) is 250 points higher than at San Jose State (1130).
• Incoming UCSD students have a 9 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (31 vs. 22 at San Jose State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 1270/1480; San Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California San Diego 28/34; San Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSD - Test-free; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSD Nov 30, 2026; San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Accepted freshman UCSD students have a 0.47 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at San Jose State (3.35).
• San Jose State has a higher acceptance rate (84.6%) than UCSD (26.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at UCSD vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

UCSD vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSD and San Jose 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 Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from University of California San Diego earn a median of about $8,000 more per year than San Jose State graduates about ten years after starting college ($67,900 vs. $59,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than UCSD graduates ($15,000 vs. $18,500).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $36 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSD graduates ($155 vs. $191).
• More UCSD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Jose State students, three years after graduation. (82% vs. 73%)

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.