UCSC vs. San Diego State

Comparable Facts

Compare University of California Santa Cruz in Santa Cruz, 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 UCSC based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 19,938 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of California Santa Cruz is located in Santa Cruz, CA (Small City setting); San Diego State University is in San Diego, CA (Large City setting).
• University of California Santa Cruz 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 Santa Cruz 22:1; San Diego State University 27:1.

UCSC vs. San Diego State Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UCSC 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 UCSC ($14,704 vs. $18,059).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of California Santa Cruz are 13.4% lower than at San Diego State University ($19,948 vs. $23,030).
• University of California Santa Cruz is 83.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $7,277 more per year; $16,005.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 135.4% higher at UCSC than at San Diego State University (about $28,877 more per year; $50,205.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of California Santa Cruz than at San Diego State University (57% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of California Santa Cruz students is 88.9% larger than aid received by San Diego State University students ($22,774 vs. $12,053).

UCSC vs. San Diego State Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UCSC 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 UCSC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at University of California Santa Cruz (1260) is 60 points higher than at San Diego State (1200).
• Incoming UCSC 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 Santa Cruz 1160/1360; San Diego State University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: University of California Santa Cruz 25/33; San Diego State University 22/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UCSC - Test-free; San Diego State - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: UCSC Nov 30, 2026; San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UCSC (3.63).
• UCSC has a higher acceptance rate (65.8%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 9.3% at UCSC vs. 20.4% at San Diego State.

UCSC vs. San Diego State Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UCSC 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 Santa Cruz's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than San Diego State University's (66%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than UCSC graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $50,400), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $4,610 lower median loan debt than UCSC graduates ($15,349 vs. $19,959).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $48 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UCSC graduates ($158 vs. $206).
• More UCSC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (74% 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.