University of California-San Diego vs San Francisco State University
University of California-San Diego is a public university in La Jolla, CA. San Francisco State University is a public university in San Francisco, CA. University of California-San Diego admits about 27% of applicants and San Francisco State University about 96%, making University of California-San Diego the harder of the two to get into. Students pay an average of about $12,278 a year at San Francisco State University after aid, and about $12,470 at University of California-San Diego. About 87% of students graduate at University of California-San Diego, compared with 50% at San Francisco State University. Ten years after enrolling, University of California-San Diego alumni earn a median of about $84,943, against $68,077 for San Francisco State University.
At a glance
Type
Public
Public
Location
La Jolla, CA
San Francisco, CA
Setting
Urban
Urban
Undergraduates
34,948
18,639
Acceptance rate
27%
96%
Admissions
GPA (admitted)
3.46–4
3.13–3.63
SAT (middle 50%)
1270–1480
930–1130
ACT (middle 50%)
28–34
16–23
Test policy
Test blind
Test optional
Cost
Avg net price / yr
$12,470
$12,278
Full cost / yr
$38,701
$26,488
In-state tuition
$16,758
$7,950
Out-of-state tuition
$50,958
$20,550
Application fee
$80
$70
Net price by family income
Family income under $30k
$7,525
$9,341
$30k - $48k
$8,155
$9,867
$48k - $75k
$9,942
$11,825
$75k - $110k
$15,199
$14,556
Over $110k
$28,785
$22,523
Outcomes
Graduation rate
87%
50%
Freshman retention
94%
83%
Median earnings (6 yr)
$65,669
$52,650
Median earnings (10 yr)
$84,943
$68,077
Median debt at graduation
$15,500
$15,371
Student body
Pell grant recipients
34%
42%
First-generation students
40%
48%
International students
11%
4%
Deadlines
Early decision
Not reported
Not reported
Early action
Not reported
Not reported
Regular decision
Nov 30
Apr 15
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 Francisco State University harder to get into?
- University of California-San Diego is harder to get into. It admits about 27% of applicants, compared with 96% at San Francisco 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 Francisco State University?
- San Francisco State University is cheaper on average. Students pay about $12,278 a year after grants and scholarships, against about $12,470 at University of California-San Diego. 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 Francisco State University?
- Before aid, San Francisco State University costs about $26,488 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 Francisco State University?
- University of California-San Diego. Families earning under $30,000 a year pay about $7,525 there, against about $9,341 at San Francisco 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 Francisco State University?
- University of California-San Diego is the larger of the two, with about 34,948 undergraduates against 18,639 at San Francisco State University.
- Does University of California-San Diego or San Francisco State University have a better graduation rate?
- University of California-San Diego has the higher graduation rate, at about 87% against 50% at San Francisco State University.
- Do graduates of University of California-San Diego or San Francisco 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 $68,077 for San Francisco State University. Earnings vary far more by major than by school.
- Do University of California-San Diego and San Francisco 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 Francisco 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 Francisco State University look for?
- The middle 50% of admitted students score 1270–1480 at University of California-San Diego and 930–1130 at San Francisco State University. A quarter of admitted students scored below those ranges.
Related comparisons
University of California-San Diego vs University of California-Los AngelesUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity of California-San Diego vs University of California-BerkeleySan Francisco State University vs University of California-Los AngelesSan Francisco State University vs University of Southern CaliforniaSan Francisco State University vs University of California-Berkeley
Which of these is the better fit for you?
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