San Diego State vs. Colorado State

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with Colorado State University Fort Collins in Fort Collins, CO on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than Colorado State based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 34,096 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); Colorado State University Fort Collins is in Fort Collins, CO (Midsize City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. Colorado State University Fort Collins is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; Colorado State University Fort Collins 17:1.

San Diego State vs. Colorado State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or Colorado 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 Colorado State ($14,704 vs. $21,011).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colorado State University Fort Collins are 27% lower than at San Diego State University ($16,817 vs. $23,030).
• Colorado State University Fort Collins is 53.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $4,645 more per year; $13,373.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 63.1% higher at Colorado State than at San Diego State University (about $13,455 more per year; $34,783.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Colorado State University Fort Collins than at San Diego State University (69% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 18.6% larger than aid received by Colorado State University Fort Collins students ($12,053 vs. $10,160).

San Diego State vs. Colorado State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or Colorado 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 Colorado State and San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at Colorado State (1190).
• Incoming Colorado State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; Colorado State University Fort Collins 1080/1290.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; Colorado State University Fort Collins 23/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind); Colorado State - Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind).
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; Colorado State Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.14 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at Colorado State (3.68).
• Colorado State has a higher acceptance rate (88.5%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 16.1% at Colorado State.

San Diego State vs. Colorado State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and Colorado 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 Colorado State University Fort Collins's (64%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $1,600 more per year than Colorado State graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $51,800), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $5,655 lower median loan debt than Colorado State graduates ($15,349 vs. $21,004).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $59 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Colorado State graduates ($158 vs. $217).
• More Colorado State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

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.