California Baptist University vs. San Diego State

California Baptist University and San Diego State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

California Baptist University
San Diego State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: San Diego State (36.2% admitted vs 84.9%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1060.
  • Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $27,862 at California Baptist University.
  • Graduation: California Baptist University 55% vs San Diego State 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: California Baptist University $45,100 vs San Diego State $53,400 (median).
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Key differences

California Baptist University San Diego State University
Acceptance rate
San Diego State more selective
California Baptist University84.9%
San Diego State36.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
San Diego State higher
California Baptist University960-1150
San Diego State1090-1300
Average net price
San Diego State $13,158 less
California Baptist University$27,862
San Diego State$14,704
In-state tuition
San Diego State $32,500 less
California Baptist University$41,228
San Diego State$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $19,900 less
California Baptist University$41,228
San Diego State$21,328
Graduation rate
San Diego State +11 pts
California Baptist University55%
San Diego State66%
Median earnings (10 years)
San Diego State +$8,300
California Baptist University$45,100
San Diego State$53,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • California Baptist University 7,990
  • San Diego State 89,972
  • Admitted
  • California Baptist University 6,782
  • San Diego State 32,561
  • Acceptance rate
  • California Baptist University 84.9%
  • San Diego State 36.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • California Baptist University 23.8%
  • San Diego State 20.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • California Baptist University 1060
  • San Diego State 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • California Baptist University 21
  • San Diego State 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • California Baptist University 3.58
  • San Diego State 3.82
  • Typical high school grades
  • California Baptist University A-
  • San Diego State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • California Baptist University Very Easy
  • San Diego State Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • California Baptist University
  • San Diego State High
  • SAT range
  • California Baptist University 960-1150
  • San Diego State 1090-1300
  • ACT range
  • California Baptist University 18-25
  • San Diego State 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • California Baptist University Test-free
  • San Diego State Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • California Baptist University
  • San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • California Baptist University $41,228
  • San Diego State $8,728
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • California Baptist University $41,228
  • San Diego State $21,328
  • Room & board
  • California Baptist University $12,140
  • San Diego State $23,030
  • Average net price
  • California Baptist University $27,862
  • San Diego State $14,704
  • Average grant aid
  • California Baptist University $26,743
  • San Diego State $12,053
  • % receiving grant aid
  • California Baptist University 99%
  • San Diego State 47%
  • Graduation rate
  • California Baptist University 55%
  • San Diego State 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • California Baptist University $45,100
  • San Diego State $53,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • California Baptist University 58%
  • San Diego State 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • California Baptist University $27,000
  • San Diego State $15,349
  • Median loan payment
  • California Baptist University $279
  • San Diego State $158
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • California Baptist University 21:1
  • San Diego State 27:1
  • Popular majors
  • California Baptist University
    • Business (13%)
    • Liberal Arts and Humanities (12%)
    • Health Professions (11%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (7%)
  • San Diego State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • California Baptist University Riverside, CA
  • San Diego State San Diego, CA
  • Setting
  • California Baptist University Large City
  • San Diego State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • California Baptist University 11,902
  • San Diego State 41,137
  • Type
  • California Baptist University Private 4 Year
  • San Diego State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • California Baptist University #796
  • San Diego State #353

Comparable Facts

Compare California Baptist University in Riverside, CA with San Diego State University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

San Diego State University is larger than California Baptist University based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 11,902 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • California Baptist University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
  • California Baptist University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: California Baptist University 21:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at California Baptist University are 47.3% lower than at San Diego State University ($12,140 vs. $23,030).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 93.3% higher at California Baptist University than at San Diego State University (about $19,900 more per year; $41,228 vs. $21,328).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at California Baptist University than at San Diego State University (99% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by California Baptist University students is 121.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($26,743 vs. $12,053).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at San Diego State than at California Baptist University (25 vs. 21, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both California Baptist University and San Diego State.
  • Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
  • Enrolled first-year students at San Diego State average a 3.82 high school GPA, 0.24 higher than at California Baptist University (3.58).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 23.8% at California Baptist University vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $11,651 lower median loan debt than California Baptist University graduates ($15,349 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $121 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than California Baptist University graduates ($158 vs. $279).
  • More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former California Baptist University students, three years after graduation (65% vs. 58%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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