San Diego State vs. UNLV

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with University of Nevada Las Vegas in Las Vegas, NV on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than UNLV based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 32,911 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of Nevada Las Vegas is in Las Vegas, NV (Midsize City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Nevada Las Vegas is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of Nevada Las Vegas 19:1.

San Diego State vs. UNLV Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or UNLV? 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 University of Nevada Las Vegas than San Diego State ($11,553 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Nevada Las Vegas are 45.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($12,628 vs. $23,030).
• University of Nevada Las Vegas is 11.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $1,020 more per year; $9,748.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 28.5% higher at UNLV than at San Diego State University (about $6,083 more per year; $27,411.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Nevada Las Vegas than at San Diego State University (90% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 56.2% larger than aid received by University of Nevada Las Vegas students ($12,053 vs. $7,717).

San Diego State vs. UNLV Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 70 points higher than at UNLV (1130).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at UNLV).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; University of Nevada Las Vegas 1010/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of Nevada Las Vegas 18/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; UNLV - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; UNLV Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.42 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UNLV (3.4).
• UNLV has a higher acceptance rate (96.2%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 36.2% at UNLV.

San Diego State vs. UNLV Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and UNLV? 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 Nevada Las Vegas's (40%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than UNLV graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $47,600), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $3,669 lower median loan debt than UNLV graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,018).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $38 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UNLV graduates ($158 vs. $196).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former UNLV 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.