San Diego State University (SDSU) vs CSU-FC
San Diego State University (SDSU) and Colorado State University-Fort Collins (CSU) are two distinct universities with unique offerings. SDSU, located in the vibrant city of San Diego, California, boasts a diverse student body and a wide range of academic programs. CSU, situated in the picturesque town of Fort Collins, Colorado, is known for its strong research focus and beautiful campus. While both universities share similarities, there are key differences in acceptance rates, popular majors, student body demographics, and graduation rates. Explore our comprehensive comparison table to discover which university aligns best with your academic aspirations and personal preferences.
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![]() Colorado State University-Fort Collins |
![]() San Diego State University |
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Overview |
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Location | Fort Collins, Colorado | San Diego, California |
Campus setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
College type | 4 year | 4 year |
Control/business model | Public | Public |
Calendar system | Semester | Semester |
Degrees offered | Undergraduate and Graduate | Undergraduate and Graduate |
Students retention rate | 86.0% | 90.0% |
![]() |
Yes | No |
Religious affiliation | ||
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Admission |
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Acceptance rate | 89.6% | 37.9% |
Application fees |
Undergraduate:
$50
Graduate:
$60
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Undergraduate:
$70
Graduate:
$70
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SAT range | 1080 - 1290 | N/A |
ACT range | 23 - 29 | N/A |
Students submitting SAT score | 38.0% | |
Students submitting ACT score | 17.0% | |
Total number of applicants | 31,586 | 67,660 |
Total number of admissions given out | 28,314 | 25,646 |
Admitted students who chose to enroll | 5,197 | 5,269 |
Yield rate | 18.4% | 20.5% |
Test scores (SAT/ACT) | N/A | N/A |
High school GPA | Required | Required |
Recommendation letters | Required | Not required |
High school transcript | Not required | Not required |
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) | Required | Not required |
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Tuition and Fees |
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Sticker price |
In state:
$27,174
Out of state:
$46,456
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In state:
$28,256
Out of state:
$40,136
|
Average net price | $18,320 | $6,867 |
Tuition |
In state:
$9,709
Out of state:
$28,991
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In state:
$5,742
Out of state:
$17,622
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Room & board |
Room/dormitory:
$6,186
Meal plan:
$6,830
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Room/dormitory:
$12,824
Meal plan:
$6,344
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Available payment plans |
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Financial Aid |
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Students receiving financial aid
(Grants & scholarships) |
70.0%
Average amount $10,034 |
47.0%
Average amount $9,026 |
Students receiving federal student loan |
36.0%
Average amount $5,018 |
18.0%
Average amount $5,015 |
Students taking out private loans |
7.0%
Average amount $19,976 |
2.0%
Average amount $21,638 |
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Students and Campus |
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Undergraduate students |
24,954
Men 45.6% Women 54.4% |
31,321
Men 43.1% Women 56.9% |
Graduate students |
7,632
Men 43.7% Women 56.3% |
5,163
Men 35.9% Women 64.1% |
Racial/ethnic diversity |
Low
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Moderate
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Out-of-state students | 34.3% | 24.2% |
International students | 4.8% | 5.5% |
Campus local/setting | City: Midsize | City: Large |
Dormitory capacity | 8,300 | 6,514 |
First year students are required to live on campus? | No | No |
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from | Colorado California Texas Illinois Washington | California Washington Colorado Texas New Jersey |
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Academics |
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Popular study areas |
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Students to faculty ratio | 17:1 | 26:1 |
Institutional accreditation | Higher Learning Commission | Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission |
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Outcome |
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Graduation rate | 69.1% | 76.2% |
Dropout rate | 18.5% | 20.5% |
Transferred out | 10.4% | 1.4% |
Alumni salary by major (Top 10) |
Business/Commerce, General (Master's Degrees)
Engineering, General (Master's Degrees)
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Chemistry (Doctoral Degrees)
Computer and Information Sciences, General (Bachelor's Degrees)
Veterinary Medicine (First Professional Degrees)
Information Science/Studies (Master's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Biomedical/Medical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
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Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
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