SDSU vs UC Davis: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for San Diego State University and University of California-Davis, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
SDSU vs UC Davis at a glance
SDSU admits 36.2% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $13,243 at SDSU and $14,318 at UC Davis. Six-year graduation rates are 78.1% and 85.7%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- SDSU admits 36.2% of applicants and UC Davis 41.8%, so SDSU is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $13,243 a year at SDSU and $14,318 at UC Davis; SDSU costs $1,075 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $8,258 at SDSU and $8,770 at UC Davis.
- 78.1% of students graduate within six years at SDSU, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $73,494 for SDSU and $86,999 for UC Davis; UC Davis is $13,505 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $14,500 at SDSU and $12,038 at UC Davis.
- SDSU enrolls 35,377 students (large city) and UC Davis 32,253 (small suburb).
Side by side
SDSU and UC Davis in numbers
The stronger figure in each cost and outcome row is in bold. Net price is what students who receive aid pay after grants; your own price depends on family income.
| Measure | SDSU | UC Davis |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 36.2% | 41.8% |
| Applicants | 67,660 | 87,120 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $13,243 | $14,318 |
| Tuition, in state | $9,180 | $17,346 |
| Tuition, out of state | $25,500 | $54,948 |
| Cost of attendance | $26,045 | $43,191 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $8,258 | $8,770 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $8,236 | $9,042 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $10,413 | $11,562 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $13,498 | $15,645 |
| Over $110,000 | $22,130 | $32,902 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 78.1% | 85.7% |
| First-year retention | 90.6% | 92.8% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $73,494 | $86,999 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $14,500 | $12,038 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $165 | $137 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 35,377 | 32,253 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | Suburb: Small |
| Location | San Diego, CA | Davis, CA |
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
Bachelor's programs both offer
SDSU reports 81 bachelor's programs and UC Davis 93; 44 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about SDSU vs UC Davis
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into SDSU or UC Davis?
SDSU is harder to get into by acceptance rate: SDSU admits 36.2% of applicants and UC Davis admits 41.8%.
Which is cheaper, SDSU or UC Davis?
SDSU has the lower average net price after grants: $13,243 a year at SDSU against $14,318 at UC Davis. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $8,258 and $8,770. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do SDSU or UC Davis graduates earn more?
UC Davis graduates earn more at the median: $73,494 ten years after entry for SDSU and $86,999 for UC Davis. Median federal debt at graduation is $14,500 and $12,038.
Which has a higher graduation rate, SDSU or UC Davis?
UC Davis does: 78.1% of SDSU students graduate within six years, against 85.7% at UC Davis.
How big are SDSU and UC Davis?
SDSU has 35,377 students in San Diego, CA and UC Davis has 32,253 students in Davis, CA.