Prescott College vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare Prescott College in Prescott, AZ with San Diego State University in San Diego, CA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than Prescott College based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 867 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Prescott College is located in Prescott, AZ (Small City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• Prescott College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Prescott College 8:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

Prescott College vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Prescott College or San Diego 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 Diego State University than Prescott College ($14,704 vs. $23,377).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Prescott College are 52.7% lower than at San Diego State University ($10,902 vs. $23,030).
• Prescott College is 308.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $26,957 more per year; $35,685.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 67.3% higher at Prescott College than at San Diego State University (about $14,357 more per year; $35,685.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Prescott College than at San Diego State University (96% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Prescott College students is 108.7% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($25,158 vs. $12,053).

Prescott College vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Prescott College or San Diego State? 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 State and Prescott College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at Prescott College (1190).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 6 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 19 at Prescott College).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Prescott College 1095/1290; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Prescott College 15/24; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Prescott College - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: Prescott College Aug 15, 2027; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.63 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Prescott College (3.19).
• Prescott College has a higher acceptance rate (94.5%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.8% at Prescott College vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

Prescott College vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Prescott College and San Diego State? 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).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than Prescott College's (29%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $19,500 more per year than Prescott College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $33,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $4,151 lower median loan debt than Prescott College graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $43 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Prescott College graduates ($158 vs. $201).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Prescott College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 52%)

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.