Cal State LA vs. San Diego Christian College

Comparable Facts

Compare California State University Los Angeles in Los Angeles, CA with San Diego Christian College in Santee, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

California State University Los Angeles is larger than San Diego Christian College based on total student enrollment (23,163 students vs. 96 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• California State University Los Angeles is located in Los Angeles, CA (Large City setting); San Diego Christian College is in Santee, CA (Large Suburban setting).
• California State University Los Angeles is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego Christian College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: California State University Los Angeles 21:1; San Diego Christian College 9:1.

Cal State LA vs. San Diego Christian College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Cal State LA or San Diego Christian College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at California State University Los Angeles than San Diego Christian College ($4,460 vs. $21,199).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Diego Christian College are 43.7% lower than at California State University Los Angeles ($11,080 vs. $19,696).
• San Diego Christian College is 291.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Cal State LA (about $20,852 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $7,160.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 41.8% higher at San Diego Christian College than at California State University Los Angeles (about $8,252 more per year; $28,012.00 vs. $19,760.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at San Diego Christian College than at California State University Los Angeles (100% vs. 94%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego Christian College students is 34.4% larger than aid received by California State University Los Angeles students ($18,584 vs. $13,824).

Cal State LA vs. San Diego Christian College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Cal State LA or San Diego Christian College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Diego Christian College and Cal State LA.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego Christian College (1000) is 30 points higher than at Cal State LA (970).
• Incoming San Diego Christian College students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (21 vs. 17 at Cal State LA).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 870/1060; San Diego Christian College 900/1098.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: California State University Los Angeles 15/20; San Diego Christian College 18/24.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Cal State LA - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); San Diego Christian College - Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional).
• Typical fall application deadline: Cal State LA Jan 19, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cal State LA students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.31) than students at San Diego Christian College (3.26).
• Cal State LA has a higher acceptance rate (91.3%) than San Diego Christian College (30.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.4% at Cal State LA vs. 15.8% at San Diego Christian College.

Cal State LA vs. San Diego Christian College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Cal State LA and San Diego Christian College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• California State University Los Angeles's six-year graduation rate (36%) is higher than San Diego Christian College's (31%).
• Graduates from California State University Los Angeles earn a median of about $7,400 more per year than San Diego Christian College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,900 vs. $39,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, California State University Los Angeles graduates have a $10,186 lower median loan debt than San Diego Christian College graduates ($12,920 vs. $23,106).
• Among borrowers, Cal State LA graduates have an estimated $105 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego Christian College graduates ($133 vs. $238).
• More Cal State LA graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego Christian College students, three years after graduation. (57% vs. 47%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.