Design Institute of San Diego vs. San Jose State

Comparable Facts

Compare Design Institute of San Diego in San Diego, CA with San Jose State University in San Jose, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Jose State University is larger than Design Institute of San Diego based on total student enrollment (37,661 students vs. 94 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Design Institute of San Diego is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); San Jose State University is in San Jose, CA (Large City setting).
• Design Institute of San Diego is a private, for-profit 4-year institution. San Jose State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Design Institute of San Diego 8:1; San Jose State University 25:1.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. San Jose State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Design Institute of San Diego or San Jose State? 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 San Jose State University than Design Institute of San Diego ($13,892 vs. $44,010).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at San Jose State University are 5% lower than at Design Institute of San Diego ($20,971 vs. $22,086).
• Design Institute of San Diego is 248.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Jose State (about $20,890 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $8,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 39.5% higher at Design Institute of San Diego than at San Jose State University (about $8,290 more per year; $29,300.00 vs. $21,010.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Design Institute of San Diego than at San Jose State University (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Jose State University students is 3.8% larger than aid received by Design Institute of San Diego students ($12,353 vs. $11,901).

Design Institute of San Diego vs. San Jose State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Design Institute of San Diego or San Jose State? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between San Jose State and Design Institute of San Diego.

• Design Institute of San Diego reports an open admissions policy.
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSan Jose State University 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scoresSan Jose State University 19/26.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Design Institute of San Diego - Open admission; San Jose State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Jose State Dec 15, 2026.
• Design Institute of San Diego has a higher acceptance rate (100%) than San Jose State (84.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 28.6% at Design Institute of San Diego vs. 14.7% at San Jose State.

Design Institute of San Diego vs. San Jose State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Design Institute of San Diego and San Jose State? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• Design Institute of San Diego's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than San Jose State University's (46%).
• Graduates from San Jose State University earn a median of about $21,000 more per year than Design Institute of San Diego graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,900 vs. $38,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Jose State University graduates have a $25,585 lower median loan debt than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($15,000 vs. $40,585).
• Among borrowers, San Jose State graduates have an estimated $264 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Design Institute of San Diego graduates ($155 vs. $419).
• More San Jose State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Design Institute of San Diego students, three years after graduation. (73% vs. 68%)

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.