San Diego State vs. KU

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than KU based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 29,792 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of Kansas is in Lawrence, KS (Small City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Kansas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of Kansas 18:1.

San Diego State vs. KU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or KU? 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 KU ($14,704 vs. $19,205).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Kansas are 50.7% lower than at San Diego State University ($11,358 vs. $23,030).
• University of Kansas is 38.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $3,374 more per year; $12,102.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 42.7% higher at KU than at San Diego State University (about $9,104 more per year; $30,432.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Kansas than at San Diego State University (91% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 4.4% larger than aid received by University of Kansas students ($12,053 vs. $11,541).

San Diego State vs. KU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at KU (1190).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 24 at KU).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; University of Kansas 1070/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of Kansas 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; KU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; KU Aug 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.16 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at KU (3.66).
• KU has a higher acceptance rate (93.5%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 25.5% at KU.

San Diego State vs. KU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and KU? 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 University of Kansas's (61%).
• Graduates from University of Kansas earn a median of about $1,200 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($54,600 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $5,151 lower median loan debt than KU graduates ($15,349 vs. $20,500).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $53 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than KU graduates ($158 vs. $211).
• More KU 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 https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.