UCI vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

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

San Diego State University is larger than UCI based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 37,297 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Irvine is located in Irvine, CA (Rural Fringe setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Irvine is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: University of California Irvine 19:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

UCI vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCI or San Diego 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 UCI ($14,704 vs. $15,889).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Irvine are 17.5% lower than at San Diego State University ($18,991 vs. $23,030).
• University of California Irvine is 80.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $6,994 more per year; $15,722.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 134.1% higher at UCI than at San Diego State University (about $28,594 more per year; $49,922.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Irvine than at San Diego State University (55% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Irvine students is 91.7% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($23,110 vs. $12,053).

UCI vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Irvine (1330) is 130 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming UCI students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 25 at San Diego State).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 1230/1430; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Irvine 26/33; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCI - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCI Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCI (3.75).
• San Diego State has a higher acceptance rate (36.2%) than UCI (28.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.2% at UCI vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

UCI vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCI and San Diego 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).

• University of California Irvine's six-year graduation rate (85%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from University of California Irvine earn a median of about $8,400 more per year than San Diego State graduates about ten years after starting college ($61,800 vs. $53,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $1,651 lower median loan debt than UCI graduates ($15,349 vs. $17,000).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $17 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCI graduates ($158 vs. $175).
• More UCI graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.