Key differences on Getting in
- 1
U. South Florida's yield is 4 pts higher than San Diego State's
Yield rate - 2
San Diego State admits 37% vs. 43% at U. South Florida
Acceptance rate
Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Acceptance and yield, test score ranges, test policy, and what each college weighs.
The funnel
Quad's selectivity
- San Diego StateVery selectivefrom CaliforniaAccessiblefrom other states
- U. South FloridaVery selective
Men and women
Acceptance rate for men and women who applied, where a college reports admissions by sex.
Test scores
SAT total,
Axis runs 1000–1600. The dark tick marks the national median midpoint.
ACT composite,
Axis runs 20–36. The dark tick marks the national median midpoint.
Test policy
- San Diego StateTest-blind
- U. South FloridaTest scores required
How they read a record
San Diego State
and GPA are both very important. 65% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher, so and rarely sets an applicant apart; the courses behind it carry more of the weight.
U. South Florida
GPA and the high school record are required; class rank and a college-prep program are considered.
What they look at
| Factor | San Diego State | U. South Florida |
|---|---|---|
| High school GPA | Very important | Required |
| High school record | Required | Required |
| Class rank | Not considered | Considered |
| College-prep program | Required | Considered |
| Recommendations | Not considered | Not considered |
| Essay | Not considered | Not considered |
| Legacy status | Not considered | Not considered |
| Work experience | Not considered | Not considered |
| Demonstration of competencies | Not considered | Not considered |
| English proficiency test | Required | Required |
| Other tests | Not considered | Not considered |
Sources:San Diego State University (Fall 2025), Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;San Diego State University Common Data Set 2025–26, Entered fall 2024;College Scorecard, most recent release;College Scorecard, Entered fall 2023About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Figures are the newest each college has published; years can differ between colleges. Each value's ⓘ shows its source and year. Why