College Comparison
Penn State 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
Penn State
University Park, PA
School
UC San Diego
La Jolla, CA
Head-to-Head Stats
| Metric | Penn State | UC San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | 54.2% | 24.5%wins |
| SAT Range (25th–75th) | 1220–1400wins | N/A |
| ACT Range (25th–75th) | 27–32 | N/A |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | $40,188wins | $46,042 |
| Avg Net Price | $32,598 | $11,750wins |
| Median Earnings (10 yr) | $63,435 | $84,943wins |
| Graduation Rate | 85.7% | 87.6%wins |
| Retention Rate | 92.0% | 93.9%wins |
| Student–Faculty Ratio | 15:1wins | 19:1 |
| Total Enrollment | 41,862wins | 33,787 |
Verdict
Based on the data above, UC San Diego edges out Penn State 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.
Penn State Strengths
- ✓SAT Range (25th–75th): 1220–1400
- ✓Tuition (Out-of-State): $40,188
- ✓Student–Faculty Ratio: 15:1
- ✓Total Enrollment: 41,862
UC San Diego Strengths
- ✓Acceptance Rate: 24.5%
- ✓Avg Net Price: $11,750
- ✓Median Earnings (10 yr): $84,943
- ✓Graduation Rate: 87.6%
Want a deeper comparison?
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