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College Comparison

Florida State University vs UC San Diego: Which is Better?

Side-by-side comparison of acceptance rates, SAT scores, tuition, earnings, and more, updated with the latest College Scorecard data.

School

Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL

School

UC San Diego

La Jolla, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricFlorida StateUC San Diego
Acceptance Rate25.4%24.5%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)1240–1390winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)27–31N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$18,786wins$46,042
Avg Net Price$10,997wins$11,750
Median Earnings (10 yr)$61,675$84,943wins
Graduation Rate83.0%87.6%wins
Retention Rate95.6%wins93.9%
Student–Faculty Ratio17:1wins19:1
Total Enrollment31,81233,787wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, Florida State edges out UC San Diego on 5 of 9 measurable categories, including key factors like acceptance rate, earnings, and graduation rate. That said, the right choice depends heavily on your major, financial situation, and campus culture fit.

Florida State Strengths

  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1240–1390
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $18,786
  • Avg Net Price: $10,997
  • Retention Rate: 95.6%

UC San Diego Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 24.5%
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $84,943
  • Graduation Rate: 87.6%
  • Total Enrollment: 33,787

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