San Diego State vs. USD
San Diego State University and University of San Diego side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
San Diego State University
University of San Diego
At a glance
- Harder to get into: San Diego State (36.2% admitted vs 52.4%). Typical SAT 1200 vs N/A.
- Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $37,918 at USD.
- Graduation: San Diego State 66% vs USD 75%.
- Earnings 10 years out: San Diego State $53,400 vs USD $70,200 (median).
Acceptance rate
San Diego State more selective
San Diego State36.2%
USD52.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
San Diego State higher
San Diego State1090-1300
USD-
Average net price
San Diego State $23,214 less
San Diego State$14,704
USD$37,918
In-state tuition
San Diego State $50,758 less
San Diego State$8,728
USD$59,486
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $38,158 less
San Diego State$21,328
USD$59,486
Graduation rate
USD +9 pts
San Diego State66%
USD75%
Median earnings (10 years)
USD +$16,800
San Diego State$53,400
USD$70,200
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
PartnerNot sure you'd get in? Check your chances at San Diego State and USD with Appily's free admission calculator.
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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San Diego State My Chances
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USD My Chances
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- Applied
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San Diego State 89,972
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USD 17,008
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- Admitted
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San Diego State 32,561
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USD 8,908
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- Acceptance rate
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San Diego State 36.2%
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USD 52.4%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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San Diego State 20.4%
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USD 12.4%
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- Typical SAT score
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San Diego State 1200
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USD
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- Typical ACT score
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San Diego State 25
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USD
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- Average high school GPA
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San Diego State 3.82
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USD 3.95
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- Typical high school grades
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San Diego State A-
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USD A
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- Admissions standards
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San Diego State Challenging
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USD Unavailable
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- Applicant competition
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San Diego State High
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USD Low
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- SAT range
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San Diego State 1090-1300
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USD
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- ACT range
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San Diego State 22-29
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USD
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- Submit test scores
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San Diego State Test-free
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USD Test-free
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- Application deadline
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San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
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USD Dec 15, 2026
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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San Diego State $8,728
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USD $59,486
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- Tuition (out of state)
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San Diego State $21,328
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USD $59,486
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- Room & board
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San Diego State $23,030
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USD $19,918
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- Average net price
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San Diego State $14,704
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USD $37,918
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- Average grant aid
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San Diego State $12,053
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USD $40,965
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- % receiving grant aid
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San Diego State 47%
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USD 84%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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San Diego State 66%
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USD 75%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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San Diego State $53,400
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USD $70,200
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- Making student loan payments
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San Diego State 65%
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USD 78%
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- Median student loan debt
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San Diego State $15,349
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USD $22,904
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- Median loan payment
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San Diego State $158
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USD $236
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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San Diego State 27:1
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USD 13:1
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- Popular majors
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San Diego State
- Business (23%)
- Social Sciences (13%)
- Psychology (8%)
- English and Literature (7%)
- Health Professions (7%)
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USD
- Business (39%)
- Social Sciences (15%)
- Communication (10%)
- Biology (6%)
- Psychology (6%)
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School basics
- School
- San Diego State San Diego State University
- Location
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San Diego State San Diego, CA
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USD San Diego, CA
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- Setting
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San Diego State Large City
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USD Large City
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- Total enrollment
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San Diego State 41,137
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USD 9,714
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- Type
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San Diego State Public 4 Year
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USD Private 4 Year
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- National ranking
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San Diego State #353
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USD
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Comparable Facts
Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with University of San Diego in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.
San Diego State University is larger than USD based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 9,714 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of San Diego is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
- San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of San Diego is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
- Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of San Diego 13:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of San Diego are 13.5% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,918 vs. $23,030).
- Out-of-state tuition is 178.9% higher at USD than at San Diego State University (about $38,158 more per year; $59,486 vs. $21,328).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of San Diego than at San Diego State University (84% vs. 47%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by University of San Diego students is 239.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($40,965 vs. $12,053).
Admissions details
- SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both San Diego State and USD.
- Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; USD Dec 15, 2026.
- Enrolled first-year students at USD average a 3.95 high school GPA, 0.13 higher than at San Diego State (3.82).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 12.4% at USD.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $7,555 lower median loan debt than USD graduates ($15,349 vs. $22,904).
- Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $78 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USD graduates ($158 vs. $236).
- More USD graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation (78% vs. 65%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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