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College Comparison

WashU (St. Louis) 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

WashU (St. Louis)

St. Louis, MO

School

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

Head-to-Head Stats

MetricWashUSan Diego State
Acceptance Rate12.0%wins34.4%
SAT Range (25th–75th)1500–1570winsN/A
ACT Range (25th–75th)33–35N/A
Tuition (Out-of-State)$62,982$20,170wins
Avg Net Price$22,117$16,174wins
Median Earnings (10 yr)$86,182wins$64,909
Graduation Rate94.5%wins78.3%
Retention Rate95.9%wins90.3%
Student–Faculty Ratio7:1wins22:1
Total Enrollment7,89733,654wins

Verdict

Based on the data above, WashU edges out San Diego State on 6 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.

WashU Strengths

  • Acceptance Rate: 12.0%
  • SAT Range (25th–75th): 1500–1570
  • Median Earnings (10 yr): $86,182
  • Graduation Rate: 94.5%

San Diego State Strengths

  • Tuition (Out-of-State): $20,170
  • Avg Net Price: $16,174
  • Total Enrollment: 33,654

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