Skip to content

College Comparison

University of Michigan vs San Diego State University: Which is Better?

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

School

University of Michigan

Ann Arbor, MI

School

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUniversity of MichiganSan Diego State
Acceptance Rate17.9%wins34.4%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1350–1530winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)31–34N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$58,072$20,170wins
Avg Net Price$14,832wins$16,174
Median Earnings (10 yr)$83,648wins$64,909
Graduation Rate93.2%wins78.3%
Retention Rate97.6%wins90.3%
Student–Faculty Ratio11:1wins22:1
Total Enrollment33,48833,654wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, University of Michigan edges out San Diego State on 7 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.

University of Michigan Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 17.9%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1350–1530
  • Avg Net Price: $14,832
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $83,648

San Diego State Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $20,170
  • Total Enrollment: 33,654

Want a deeper comparison?

Our interactive compare tool lets you add more schools, filter by major, and see financial aid breakdowns by income level.

Open Compare Tool

Related Comparisons