Northeastern University Oakland vs. San Diego State

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

Northeastern University Oakland
San Diego State University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Northeastern University Oakland (16.7% admitted vs 36.2%). Typical SAT 1470 vs 1200.
  • Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $27,473 at Northeastern University Oakland.
  • Graduation: Northeastern University Oakland 57% vs San Diego State 66%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Northeastern University Oakland $44,400 vs San Diego State $53,400 (median).
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Key differences

Northeastern University Oakland San Diego State University
Acceptance rate
Northeastern University Oakland more selective
Northeastern University Oakland16.7%
San Diego State36.2%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Northeastern University Oakland higher
Northeastern University Oakland1420-1520
San Diego State1090-1300
Average net price
San Diego State $12,769 less
Northeastern University Oakland$27,473
San Diego State$14,704
In-state tuition
San Diego State $59,050 less
Northeastern University Oakland$67,778
San Diego State$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $46,450 less
Northeastern University Oakland$67,778
San Diego State$21,328
Graduation rate
San Diego State +9 pts
Northeastern University Oakland57%
San Diego State66%
Median earnings (10 years)
San Diego State +$9,000
Northeastern University Oakland$44,400
San Diego State$53,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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Check my chances at Northeastern University Oakland Check my chances at San Diego State
  • Applied
  • Northeastern University Oakland 18,030
  • San Diego State 89,972
  • Admitted
  • Northeastern University Oakland 3,002
  • San Diego State 32,561
  • Acceptance rate
  • Northeastern University Oakland 16.7%
  • San Diego State 36.2%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Northeastern University Oakland 14.9%
  • San Diego State 20.4%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Northeastern University Oakland 1470
  • San Diego State 1200
  • Typical ACT score
  • Northeastern University Oakland 32
  • San Diego State 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • Northeastern University Oakland 3.57
  • San Diego State 3.82
  • Typical high school grades
  • Northeastern University Oakland A-
  • San Diego State A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Northeastern University Oakland Exceptional
  • San Diego State Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Northeastern University Oakland Very High
  • San Diego State High
  • SAT range
  • Northeastern University Oakland 1420-1520
  • San Diego State 1090-1300
  • ACT range
  • Northeastern University Oakland 32-33
  • San Diego State 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • Northeastern University Oakland Test optional
  • San Diego State Test-free
  • Application deadline
  • Northeastern University Oakland
  • San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Northeastern University Oakland $67,778
  • San Diego State $8,728
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Northeastern University Oakland $67,778
  • San Diego State $21,328
  • Room & board
  • Northeastern University Oakland $19,580
  • San Diego State $23,030
  • Average net price
  • Northeastern University Oakland $27,473
  • San Diego State $14,704
  • Average grant aid
  • Northeastern University Oakland $57,948
  • San Diego State $12,053
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Northeastern University Oakland 67%
  • San Diego State 47%
  • Graduation rate
  • Northeastern University Oakland 57%
  • San Diego State 66%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Northeastern University Oakland $44,400
  • San Diego State $53,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Northeastern University Oakland 66%
  • San Diego State 65%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Northeastern University Oakland $23,500
  • San Diego State $15,349
  • Median loan payment
  • Northeastern University Oakland $242
  • San Diego State $158
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Northeastern University Oakland 7:1
  • San Diego State 27:1
  • Popular majors
  • Northeastern University Oakland
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • English and Literature (16%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (11%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
  • San Diego State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Northeastern University Oakland Oakland, CA
  • San Diego State San Diego, CA
  • Setting
  • Northeastern University Oakland Large City
  • San Diego State Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Northeastern University Oakland 640
  • San Diego State 41,137
  • Type
  • Northeastern University Oakland Private 4 Year
  • San Diego State Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Northeastern University Oakland
  • San Diego State #353

Comparable Facts

Compare Northeastern University Oakland in Oakland, 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 Northeastern University Oakland based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 640 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Northeastern University Oakland is located in Oakland, CA (Large City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
  • Northeastern University Oakland is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Northeastern University Oakland 7:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Northeastern University Oakland are 15% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,580 vs. $23,030).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 217.8% higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at San Diego State University (about $46,450 more per year; $67,778 vs. $21,328).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Northeastern University Oakland than at San Diego State University (67% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Northeastern University Oakland students is 380.8% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($57,948 vs. $12,053).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 7 points higher at Northeastern University Oakland than at San Diego State (32 vs. 25, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at Northeastern University Oakland, test-free at 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, 0.25 higher than at Northeastern University Oakland (3.57).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 14.9% at Northeastern University Oakland vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $8,151 lower median loan debt than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($15,349 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $84 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Northeastern University Oakland graduates ($158 vs. $242).
  • More Northeastern University Oakland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation (66% vs. 65%).

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

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