The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) vs San Diego State University (SDSU)

Envision yourself as a student, standing at the crossroads of two esteemed universities: The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and San Diego State University (SDSU). Both institutions offer a wealth of opportunities, yet they possess distinct characteristics that may sway your decision. UTA, nestled in the vibrant city of Arlington, Texas, boasts a higher acceptance rate, making it a more accessible option for aspiring scholars. In contrast, SDSU, located in the sunny metropolis of San Diego, California, attracts a more diverse student body, fostering a rich cultural tapestry on campus. While UTA excels in engineering and nursing programs, SDSU shines in business and psychology. As you embark on this side-by-side comparison, delve into the intricacies of each university's offerings to discover the perfect fit for your academic aspirations and personal growth.
San Diego State University logo

San Diego State University

The University of Texas at Arlington logo

The University of Texas at Arlington

Overview

Location San Diego, California Arlington, Texas
Campus setting City: Large 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 90.0% 71.0%
Common app member No Yes
Religious affiliation

Admission

Acceptance rate 37.9% 92.7%
Application fees
Undergraduate: $70

Graduate: $70
Undergraduate: $75

Graduate: $75
SAT range N/A 1000 - 1220
ACT range N/A 19 - 26
Students submitting SAT score 64.0%
Students submitting ACT score 16.0%
Total number of applicants 67,660 15,498
Total number of admissions given out 25,646 14,367
Admitted students who chose to enroll 5,269 4,579
Yield rate 20.5% 31.9%
Test scores (SAT/ACT) N/A N/A
High school GPA Required Required
Recommendation letters Not required Not required
High school transcript Not required Required
English proficiency test (e.g. TOEFL) Not required Required

Tuition and Fees

Sticker price
In state: $28,256

Out of state: $40,136
In state: $28,259

Out of state: $45,831
Average net price $6,867 $15,301
Tuition
In state: $5,742

Out of state: $17,622
In state: $9,206

Out of state: $26,778
Room & board
Room/dormitory: $12,824

Meal plan: $6,344
Room/dormitory: $6,418

Meal plan: $4,098
Available payment plans
  • Tuition payment plan
  • Prepaid tuition plan
  • Guaranteed tuition plan
  • Tuition payment plan

Financial Aid

Students receiving financial aid

(Grants & scholarships)

47.0%
Average amount $9,026
88.0%
Average amount $10,304
Students receiving federal student loan 18.0%
Average amount $5,015
32.0%
Average amount $4,784
Students taking out private loans 2.0%
Average amount $21,638
3.0%
Average amount $11,369

Students and Campus

Undergraduate students 31,321
Men 43.1% Women 56.9%
32,962
Men 38.2% Women 61.8%
Graduate students 5,163
Men 35.9% Women 64.1%
12,987
Men 33.8% Women 66.2%
Racial/ethnic diversity
Moderate
Moderate
Out-of-state students 24.2% 1.6%
International students 5.5% 10.1%
Campus local/setting City: Large City: Large
Dormitory capacity 6,514 9,543
First year students are required to live on campus? No No
Top 5 states where most U.S. students come from California Washington Colorado Texas New Jersey Texas California Oklahoma Florida Colorado

Academics

Popular study areas
  • Health Professions
  • Engineering
  • Education
  • Kinesiology & Leisure Studies
  • Business
  • Health Professions
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Public Administration and Social Service
  • Education
Students to faculty ratio 26:1 24:1
Institutional accreditation Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges

Outcome

Graduation rate 76.2% 51.1%
Dropout rate 20.5% 14.0%
Transferred out 1.4% 30.8%
Alumni salary by major (Top 10)
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $84,200
  • Year 2: $68,499
  • Year 3: $87,104
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $89,225
  • Year 2: $87,377
  • Year 3: $85,451
Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $61,870
  • Year 2: $63,005
  • Year 3: $80,004
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,965
  • Year 2: $65,089
  • Year 3: $79,350
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,385
  • Year 2: $69,757
  • Year 3: $78,880
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $62,997
  • Year 2: $66,318
  • Year 3: $76,755
Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions (Doctoral Degrees)
  • Year 1: $74,008
  • Year 2: $71,575
  • Year 3: $75,680
Communication Disorders Sciences and Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,000
  • Year 2: $70,456
  • Year 3: $75,014
Civil Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,495
  • Year 2: $62,317
  • Year 3: $73,021
Educational Administration and Supervision (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $52,099
  • Year 2: $67,995
  • Year 3: $72,884
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $96,840
  • Year 2: $106,421
  • Year 3: $106,831
Civil Engineering (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $65,487
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $85,393
Business Administration, Management and Operations (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $73,152
  • Year 2: $76,460
  • Year 3: $85,109
Computer Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,966
  • Year 2: $71,225
  • Year 3: $84,138
Computer Science (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $71,876
  • Year 2: $69,897
  • Year 3: $80,973
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $72,026
  • Year 2: $72,515
  • Year 3: $75,658
Industrial Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $58,154
  • Year 2: $67,202
  • Year 3: $74,033
Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $66,301
  • Year 2: $66,461
  • Year 3: $74,022
Accounting and Related Services (Master's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $64,892
  • Year 2: $63,817
  • Year 3: $73,828
Mechanical Engineering (Bachelor's Degrees)
  • Year 1: $63,839
  • Year 2: $64,824
  • Year 3: $71,937

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