San Diego State vs. USF Main Campus

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with University of South Florida in Tampa, FL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of South Florida is larger than San Diego State based on total student enrollment (49,622 students vs. 41,137 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of South Florida is in Tampa, FL (Large City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of South Florida is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of South Florida 22:1.

San Diego State vs. USF Main Campus Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or USF Main Campus? 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 South Florida than San Diego State ($11,579 vs. $14,704).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of South Florida are 37.3% lower than at San Diego State University ($14,440 vs. $23,030).
• San Diego State University is 36.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than USF Main Campus (about $2,318 more per year; $8,728.00 vs. $6,410.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 23.1% higher at San Diego State than at University of South Florida (about $4,004 more per year; $21,328.00 vs. $17,324.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of South Florida than at San Diego State University (83% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 13.2% larger than aid received by University of South Florida students ($12,053 vs. $10,652).

San Diego State vs. USF Main Campus Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or USF Main Campus? 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 USF Main Campus and San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of South Florida (1230) is 30 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming USF Main Campus 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; University of South Florida 1130/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of South Florida 24/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; USF Main Campus - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; USF Main Campus May 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.18 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at USF Main Campus (3.64).
• USF Main Campus has a higher acceptance rate (43.2%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 23.3% at USF Main Campus.

San Diego State vs. USF Main Campus Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and USF Main Campus? 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 South Florida's (52%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $6,900 more per year than USF Main Campus graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $46,500), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $3,798 lower median loan debt than USF Main Campus graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,147).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $39 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than USF Main Campus graduates ($158 vs. $197).
• More San Diego State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former USF Main Campus students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 57%)

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.