San Diego State University vs Stanford University
San Diego State University is a public university in San Diego, CA. Stanford University is a private university in Stanford, CA. Stanford University admits about 4% of applicants and San Diego State University about 36%, making Stanford University the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $13,807 a year at Stanford University after aid, and about $15,364 at San Diego State University. About 92% of students graduate at Stanford University, compared with 77% at San Diego State University. Ten years after enrolling, Stanford University alumni earn a median of about $124,080, against $64,909 for San Diego State University.
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Net price is the average across aided students (U.S. College Scorecard). Your actual cost and admission odds depend on your profile. Take the free Matchmaker for your own numbers.
- Is San Diego State University or Stanford University harder to get into?
- Stanford University is harder to get into. It admits about 4% of applicants, compared with 36% at San Diego State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- Which is cheaper, San Diego State University or Stanford University?
- Stanford University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $13,807 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $15,364 at San Diego State University. Your own odds and price depend on your profile, so take Blueprint's free Matchmaker to see your numbers at both.
- What is the full cost of attendance at San Diego State University and Stanford University?
- Before aid, San Diego State University costs about $27,780 a year and Stanford University about $87,833. That is the sticker price; most students pay less once grants and scholarships are applied.
- Which is cheaper for a family earning under $30,000, San Diego State University or Stanford University?
- Stanford University. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $-2,536 there, against about $9,910 at San Diego State University. Aid is income-tested, so this can differ from the average price and from the sticker price.
- Which is bigger, San Diego State University or Stanford University?
- San Diego State University is the larger of the two, with about 35,377 undergraduates against 7,554 at Stanford University.
- Does San Diego State University or Stanford University have a better graduation rate?
- Stanford University has the higher graduation rate, at about 92% against 77% at San Diego State University.
- Do graduates of San Diego State University or Stanford University earn more?
- Stanford University alumni earn more on average: a median of about $124,080 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,909 for San Diego State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do San Diego State University and Stanford University require SAT or ACT scores?
- San Diego State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them. Stanford University requires SAT or ACT scores.
- What SAT scores do San Diego State University and Stanford University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1090–1300 at San Diego State University and 1510–1580 at Stanford University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
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