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Side-by-side

San Diego State University vs University of California, Berkeley

The numbers that actually decide it — net price after aid, how hard each is to get into, and how many students finish — compared straight across. Net price beats sticker price every time.

Same u setting in the West, but higher admit rate (36% vs 12%) — a likelier admit with a similar feel.

San Diego State UniversityUniversity of California, Berkeley
Acceptance rate36%12%
Net price (in-state)

what the average family actually pays after aid

$8,728$15,602
Net price (out-of-state)$21,328$46,326
Sticker tuition (in-state)$8,728$16,347
Sticker tuition (out-of-state)$21,328$50,547
Graduation rate77%93%
Total enrollment35,37745,307

Net price = sticker price minus the average grant aid for that school (IPEDS / Dept. of Education data). Real numbers vary by family income and student stats — verify each school's own Net Price Calculator before committing. Canonical: /compare/san-diego-state-university-vs-uc-berkeley.

KidToCollege is free to use and editorially independent. Data sourced from public records including IPEDS, Common Data Sets, College Board and FAFSA.gov. Always verify deadlines and requirements directly with institutions. Not a guarantee of admission or financial aid.