Side-by-side
San Diego State University vs University of Southern California
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 more selective (10% vs 36%) — a stretch target if San Diego State University is already on your list.
| San Diego State University | University of Southern California | |
|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 36% | 10% |
| Net price (in-state) what the average family actually pays after aid | $8,728 | $72,097 |
| Net price (out-of-state) | $21,328 | $72,097 |
| Sticker tuition (in-state) | $8,728 | $72,097 |
| Sticker tuition (out-of-state) | $21,328 | $72,097 |
| Graduation rate | 77% | 92% |
| Total enrollment | 35,377 | 20,443 |
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-university-of-southern-california.