San Diego State vs. Utah

San Diego State University and University of Utah side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

San Diego State University
University of Utah

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: San Diego State (36.2% admitted vs 86%). Typical SAT 1200 vs 1290.
  • Cheaper after aid: San Diego State. Average net price is $14,704 vs $16,583 at Utah.
  • Graduation: San Diego State 66% vs Utah 55%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: San Diego State $53,400 vs Utah $61,300 (median).
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Key differences

San Diego State University University of Utah
Acceptance rate
San Diego State more selective
San Diego State36.2%
Utah86%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Utah higher
San Diego State1090-1300
Utah1190-1380
Average net price
San Diego State $1,879 less
San Diego State$14,704
Utah$16,583
In-state tuition
San Diego State $892 less
San Diego State$8,728
Utah$9,620
Out-of-state tuition
San Diego State $9,532 less
San Diego State$21,328
Utah$30,860
Graduation rate
San Diego State +11 pts
San Diego State66%
Utah55%
Median earnings (10 years)
Utah +$7,900
San Diego State$53,400
Utah$61,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • San Diego State 89,972
  • Utah 26,822
  • Admitted
  • San Diego State 32,561
  • Utah 23,062
  • Acceptance rate
  • San Diego State 36.2%
  • Utah 86%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • San Diego State 20.4%
  • Utah 26%
  • Typical SAT score
  • San Diego State 1200
  • Utah 1290
  • Typical ACT score
  • San Diego State 25
  • Utah 25
  • Average high school GPA
  • San Diego State 3.82
  • Utah 3.64
  • Typical high school grades
  • San Diego State A-
  • Utah A-
  • Admissions standards
  • San Diego State Challenging
  • Utah Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • San Diego State High
  • Utah
  • SAT range
  • San Diego State 1090-1300
  • Utah 1190-1380
  • ACT range
  • San Diego State 22-29
  • Utah 22-29
  • Submit test scores
  • San Diego State Test-free
  • Utah Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • San Diego State Nov 30, 2026
  • Utah Apr 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • San Diego State $8,728
  • Utah $9,620
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • San Diego State $21,328
  • Utah $30,860
  • Room & board
  • San Diego State $23,030
  • Utah $13,315
  • Average net price
  • San Diego State $14,704
  • Utah $16,583
  • Average grant aid
  • San Diego State $12,053
  • Utah $12,744
  • % receiving grant aid
  • San Diego State 47%
  • Utah 73%
  • Graduation rate
  • San Diego State 66%
  • Utah 55%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • San Diego State $53,400
  • Utah $61,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • San Diego State 65%
  • Utah 72%
  • Median student loan debt
  • San Diego State $15,349
  • Utah $15,000
  • Median loan payment
  • San Diego State $158
  • Utah $155
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • San Diego State 27:1
  • Utah 19:1
  • Popular majors
  • San Diego State
    • Business (23%)
    • Social Sciences (13%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Utah
    • Social Sciences (17%)
    • Business (13%)
    • Communication (9%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Location
  • San Diego State San Diego, CA
  • Utah Salt Lake City, UT
  • Setting
  • San Diego State Large City
  • Utah Midsize City
  • Total enrollment
  • San Diego State 41,137
  • Utah 36,894
  • Type
  • San Diego State Public 4 Year
  • Utah Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • San Diego State #353
  • Utah #258

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with University of Utah in Salt Lake City, UT on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

San Diego State University is larger than Utah based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 36,894 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Utah are 42.2% lower than at San Diego State University ($13,315 vs. $23,030).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 44.7% higher at Utah than at San Diego State University (about $9,532 more per year; $30,860 vs. $21,328).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Utah than at San Diego State University (73% vs. 47%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by University of Utah students is 5.7% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($12,744 vs. $12,053).

Admissions details

  • Incoming San Diego State students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 25) as students at Utah (25).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test-free at San Diego State, test optional at Utah.
  • Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026; Utah Apr 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at San Diego State average a 3.82 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Utah (3.64).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 26% at Utah.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Utah graduates have a $349 lower median loan debt than San Diego State graduates ($15,000 vs. $15,349).
  • Among borrowers, Utah graduates have an estimated $3 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than San Diego State graduates ($155 vs. $158).
  • More Utah graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation (72% vs. 65%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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