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San Diego State University vs UC Santa Barbara

Odds, test scores, cost, aid and graduation rates, side by side from each school's own Common Data Set. Add more schools

San Diego State UniversitySan Diego State University37%admitted · 2025-26UC Santa BarbaraUC Santa Barbara38%admitted · 2025-26

Getting in

Acceptance rate37.4%38.2%
Early decision rateNo EDNo ED
SAT middle 50%——
ACT middle 50%——
Applicant reports on our site150673

Cost and aid

Tuition$6,838 in-state$14,202 in-state
Tuition, out-of-state$20,968$53,472
Food and housing$24,749$23,974
Sticker price per year$48,541$80,887
Average need-based grant$12,330$32,900
Average % of need met73%82.4%

Outcomes

First-year retention91%93.5%
6-year graduation rate78%84%
Undergraduates36,19623,091

Best value in each row is highlighted. Sticker price uses out-of-state tuition for public universities and leaves out books, travel and aid. "—" means the school left the item blank in its Common Data Set.

San Diego State University or UC Santa Barbara?

Is San Diego State University harder to get into than UC Santa Barbara?

They are about equally selective: San Diego State University admitted 37.4% of first-year applicants (2025-26) and UC Santa Barbara admitted 38.2% (2025-26).

Which is cheaper, San Diego State University or UC Santa Barbara?

Before aid, San Diego State University costs about $48,541 a year in tuition, fees, food and housing, against $80,887 at UC Santa Barbara (out-of-state tuition for public universities). The average need-based grant is $12,330 at San Diego State University and $32,900 at UC Santa Barbara.

Does San Diego State University or UC Santa Barbara have a higher graduation rate?

78% of San Diego State University students graduate within six years, compared with 84% at UC Santa Barbara.

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