University of California-San Diego vs San Diego State University
University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. San Diego State University is a public university in San Diego, CA. University of California-San Diego admits about 27% of applicants and San Diego State University about 36%, making University of California-San Diego the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,470 a year at University of California-San Diego after aid, and about $15,364 at San Diego State University. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 77% at San Diego State University. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $64,909 for San Diego State University.
See which of these two fits you, and what each would actually cost you.
Start the free quiz
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 University of California-San Diego or San Diego State University harder to get into?
- University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% 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, University of California-San Diego or San Diego State University?
- University of California-San Diego is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,470 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 University of California-San Diego and San Diego State University?
- Before aid, San Diego State University costs about $27,780 a year and University of California-San Diego about $38,701. 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, University of California-San Diego or San Diego State University?
- University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 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, University of California-San Diego or San Diego State University?
- San Diego State University is the larger of the two, with about 35,377 undergraduates against 34,948 at University of California-San Diego.
- Does University of California-San Diego or San Diego State University have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 77% at San Diego State University.
- Do graduates of University of California-San Diego or San Diego State University earn more?
- University of California-San Diego alumni earn more on average: a median of about $84,943 ten years after enrolling, against about $64,909 for San Diego State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-San Diego and San Diego State University require SAT or ACT scores?
- University of California-San Diego is test blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. San Diego State University is test optional, so scores are considered only if you choose to send them.
- What SAT scores do University of California-San Diego and San Diego State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego and 1090–1300 at San Diego State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
Which of these is the better fit for you?
These lists are a great start, but the one list that actually matters is yours. Blueprint builds it in two free steps.