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College Comparison

University of Washington 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 Washington

Seattle, WA

School

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricUW SeattleSan Diego State
Acceptance Rate42.5%34.4%wins
SAT Range (25th–75th)N/AN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)N/AN/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$41,997$20,170wins
Avg Net Price$13,485wins$16,174
Median Earnings (10 yr)$78,466wins$64,909
Graduation Rate83.7%wins78.3%
Retention Rate94.9%wins90.3%
Student–Faculty Ratio20:1wins22:1
Total Enrollment31,58833,654wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, UW Seattle edges out San Diego State on 5 of 8 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.

UW Seattle Strengths

  • Avg Net Price: $13,485
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $78,466
  • Graduation Rate: 83.7%
  • Retention Rate: 94.9%

San Diego State Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 34.4%
  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $20,170
  • Total Enrollment: 33,654

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