UCSD vs SDSU: cost, admissions and outcomes compared
Verified federal figures for University of California-San Diego and San Diego State University, side by side. Data verified Nov 2026 · CollegesRef 2026–27 edition.
UCSD vs SDSU at a glance
UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and SDSU 36.2% (CollegesRef 2026–27 edition). The average net price after grants is $14,794 at UCSD and $13,243 at SDSU. Six-year graduation rates are 86% and 78.1%, respectively.
Source: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS and College Scorecard, reporting years 2025
What the data shows
Key differences
- UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and SDSU 36.2%, so UCSD is the more selective.
- The average net price after grants is $14,794 a year at UCSD and $13,243 at SDSU; SDSU costs $1,551 less a year.
- For families earning up to $30,000, the net price is $9,229 at UCSD and $8,258 at SDSU.
- 86% of students graduate within six years at UCSD, against 78.1% at SDSU.
- Median earnings ten years after entry are $96,197 for UCSD and $73,494 for SDSU; UCSD is $22,703 higher.
- Graduates leave with median federal debt of $13,000 at UCSD and $14,500 at SDSU.
- UCSD enrolls 34,948 students (large city) and SDSU 35,377 (large city).
Side by side
UCSD and SDSU 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 | UCSD | SDSU |
|---|---|---|
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance rate | 26.7% | 36.2% |
| Applicants | 118,386 | 67,660 |
| Cost | ||
| Average net price (after grants) | $14,794 | $13,243 |
| Tuition, in state | $17,337 | $9,180 |
| Tuition, out of state | $54,939 | $25,500 |
| Cost of attendance | $41,664 | $26,045 |
| Net price by family income | ||
| Family income up to $30,000 | $9,229 | $8,258 |
| $30,001–$48,000 | $9,965 | $8,236 |
| $48,001–$75,000 | $12,147 | $10,413 |
| $75,001–$110,000 | $17,235 | $13,498 |
| Over $110,000 | $32,338 | $22,130 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Graduation rate (six years) | 86% | 78.1% |
| First-year retention | 94% | 90.6% |
| Median earnings, 10 years after entry | $96,197 | $73,494 |
| Median federal debt at graduation | $13,000 | $14,500 |
| Typical monthly loan payment | $148 | $165 |
| Size and setting | ||
| Total students | 34,948 | 35,377 |
| Type | Public | Public |
| Setting | City: Large | City: Large |
| Location | La Jolla, CA | San Diego, 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
UCSD reports 72 bachelor's programs and SDSU 81; 46 are offered at both. The largest shared programs:
Questions about UCSD vs SDSU
Every answer uses the figures in the table above.
Is it harder to get into UCSD or SDSU?
UCSD is harder to get into by acceptance rate: UCSD admits 26.7% of applicants and SDSU admits 36.2%.
Which is cheaper, UCSD or SDSU?
SDSU has the lower average net price after grants: $14,794 a year at UCSD against $13,243 at SDSU. For families earning up to $30,000 it is $9,229 and $8,258. Your own price depends on family income and aid.
Do UCSD or SDSU graduates earn more?
UCSD graduates earn more at the median: $96,197 ten years after entry for UCSD and $73,494 for SDSU. Median federal debt at graduation is $13,000 and $14,500.
Which has a higher graduation rate, UCSD or SDSU?
UCSD does: 86% of UCSD students graduate within six years, against 78.1% at SDSU.
How big are UCSD and SDSU?
UCSD has 34,948 students in La Jolla, CA and SDSU has 35,377 students in San Diego, CA.