La Sierra University vs. San Diego State
La Sierra University and San Diego State University side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.
La Sierra University
San Diego State University
At a glance
- Harder to get into: San Diego State (36.2% admitted vs 91.5%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1010.
- Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $23,848 at La Sierra University.
- Graduation: La Sierra University 32% vs San Diego State 66%.
- Earnings 10 years out: La Sierra University $51,900 vs San Diego State $53,400 (median).
Acceptance rate
San Diego State more selective
La Sierra University91.5%
San Diego State36.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
San Diego State higher
La Sierra University880-1140
San Diego State1090-1300
Average net price
San Diego State $9,144 less
La Sierra University$23,848
San Diego State$14,704
In-state tuition
San Diego State $28,982 less
La Sierra University$37,710
San Diego State$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $16,382 less
La Sierra University$37,710
San Diego State$21,328
Graduation rate
San Diego State +34 pts
La Sierra University32%
San Diego State66%
Median earnings (10 years)
San Diego State +$1,500
La Sierra University$51,900
San Diego State$53,400
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.
Admission calculator
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Admissions
- Admission chances
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La Sierra University My Chances
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San Diego State My Chances
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- Applied
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La Sierra University 1,917
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San Diego State 89,972
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- Admitted
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La Sierra University 1,754
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San Diego State 32,561
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- Acceptance rate
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La Sierra University 91.5%
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San Diego State 36.2%
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- Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
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La Sierra University 13.3%
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San Diego State 20.4%
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- Typical SAT score
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La Sierra University 1010
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San Diego State 1200
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- Typical ACT score
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La Sierra University 23
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San Diego State 25
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- Average high school GPA
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La Sierra University 3.54
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San Diego State 3.82
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- Typical high school grades
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La Sierra University A-
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San Diego State A-
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- Admissions standards
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La Sierra University Moderate
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San Diego State Challenging
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- Applicant competition
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La Sierra University
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San Diego State High
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- SAT range
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La Sierra University 880-1140
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San Diego State 1090-1300
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- ACT range
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La Sierra University 18-28
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San Diego State 22-29
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- Submit test scores
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La Sierra University Test-free
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San Diego State Test-free
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- Application deadline
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La Sierra University
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San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
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Cost
- Tuition (in state)
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La Sierra University $37,710
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San Diego State $8,728
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- Tuition (out of state)
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La Sierra University $37,710
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San Diego State $21,328
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- Room & board
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La Sierra University $13,431
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San Diego State $23,030
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- Average net price
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La Sierra University $23,848
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San Diego State $14,704
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- Average grant aid
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La Sierra University $27,646
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San Diego State $12,053
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- % receiving grant aid
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La Sierra University 98%
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San Diego State 47%
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Outcomes
- Graduation rate
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La Sierra University 32%
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San Diego State 66%
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- Median earnings (after 10 years)
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La Sierra University $51,900
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San Diego State $53,400
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- Making student loan payments
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La Sierra University 52%
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San Diego State 65%
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- Median student loan debt
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La Sierra University $30,000
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San Diego State $15,349
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- Median loan payment
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La Sierra University $310
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San Diego State $158
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Academics
- Student to faculty ratio
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La Sierra University 12:1
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San Diego State 27:1
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- Popular majors
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La Sierra University
- Biology (24%)
- Business (23%)
- Recreation, Leisure and Fitness Studies (9%)
- Psychology (9%)
- Liberal Arts and Humanities (7%)
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San Diego State
- Business (23%)
- Social Sciences (13%)
- Psychology (8%)
- English and Literature (7%)
- Health Professions (7%)
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School basics
- School
- La Sierra University La Sierra University
- San Diego State San Diego State University
- Location
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La Sierra University Riverside, CA
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San Diego State San Diego, CA
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- Setting
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La Sierra University Large City
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San Diego State Large City
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- Total enrollment
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La Sierra University 1,574
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San Diego State 41,137
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- Type
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La Sierra University Private 4 Year
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San Diego State Public 4 Year
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- National ranking
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La Sierra University #692
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San Diego State #353
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Comparable Facts
Compare La Sierra 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 La Sierra University based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 1,574 students).
Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio
- La Sierra University is located in Riverside, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
- La Sierra 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: La Sierra University 12:1; San Diego State University 27:1.
Cost details
- Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at La Sierra University are 41.7% lower than at San Diego State University ($13,431 vs. $23,030).
- Out-of-state tuition is 76.8% higher at La Sierra University than at San Diego State University (about $16,382 more per year; $37,710 vs. $21,328).
- A larger share of students receive grant aid at La Sierra University than at San Diego State University (98% vs. 47%).
- The average total grant financial aid received by La Sierra University students is 129.4% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($27,646 vs. $12,053).
Admissions details
- Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at San Diego State than at La Sierra University (25 vs. 23, midpoint estimate).
- SAT or ACT scores are test-free at both La Sierra 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, 0.28 higher than at La Sierra University (3.54).
- The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.3% at La Sierra University vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.
Loans and repayment
- Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $14,651 lower median loan debt than La Sierra University graduates ($15,349 vs. $30,000).
- Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $152 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than La Sierra University graduates ($158 vs. $310).
- More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former La Sierra University students, three years after graduation (65% vs. 52%).
Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.
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