San Diego State University Vs The University of Illinois at Chicago: Compare Fees, Placement, Reviews
Compare San Diego State University Vs The University of Illinois at Chicago based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze San Diego State University Vs The University of Illinois at Chicago on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.
Compare San Diego State University Vs The University of Illinois at Chicago based on their rankings, fees, programs, acceptance rate, admission requirements, placements, and more. Analyze San Diego State University Vs The University of Illinois at Chicago on various parameters to choose the right university for International students.

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San Diego State University
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San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at ChicagoStudent Ratings
Rating of colleges
4.3/5
3.8 Internships
4.7 Part time work
4.3 Post study jobs
4.7 Quality of faculty
4.8 Student Life
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4/5
3.3 Internships
4.7 Part time work
4 Post study jobs
4 Quality of faculty
4 Student Life
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San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at ChicagoCourse Comparison
5 Popular courses in colleges
San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at Chicago MS
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San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at Chicago MBA/PGDM
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San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at Chicago B.E. / B.Tech
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San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at Chicago B.A.
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San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at Chicago M.A.
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Other courses
- BSN (1 course)
- MPH (3 courses)
- MPA (2 courses)
- B.Arch (1 course)
- B.J.M.C. (2 courses)
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- MPH (4 courses)
- MPA (1 course)
- B.Arch (1 course)
- B.J.M.C. (1 course)
- B.Sc. (18 courses)
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San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at ChicagoCollege Comparison
About College
Established Year
1897
Number of Campus
1
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
283 Acres
Accepted Exams
TOEFL+3 More
Established Year
1982
Number of Campus
1
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
250 Acres
Accepted Exams
TOEFL+3 More
Established Year
-/-
Number of Campus
-/-
Number of Scholarships
-/-
Campus Size
-/-
Accepted Exams
-/-
San Diego State University V/s The University of Illinois at ChicagoCampus Comparison
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Country Facts
Study in USA
Diverse range of world-renowned institutions, offering cutting-edge program
Access to top-notch faculty, resources, and extensive alumni networks
Vibrant multicultural environment, fostering tolerance and global exposure
Stringent safety measures with campus police and emergency protocols
High living standards, comprehensive healthcare, and excellent infra
Access to diverse recreational activities and and natural attractions
Study in USA
Diverse range of world-renowned institutions, offering cutting-edge program
Access to top-notch faculty, resources, and extensive alumni networks
Vibrant multicultural environment, fostering tolerance and global exposure
Stringent safety measures with campus police and emergency protocols
High living standards, comprehensive healthcare, and excellent infra
Access to diverse recreational activities and and natural attractions
Get a detailed view about the country. Add a college!
Student’s views on campus
Views on San Diego State University campus
A
Anonymous
MS/MA in Geography - Batch of 2026
3.9
Lovely place to study.
Tips: The best thing about this university is how accepting and welcoming the environment is and students often go out of their way to make you feel included. Another plus point has been the faculty and the fact that they are happy to help out whenever needed. Explore the campus when you get here as the architecture is beautiful and you will get an idea about where your classes are located.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 5475
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 85975
A
Anonymous
MS in Big Data Analytics - Batch of 2024
4.2
School of fun & opportunities
Tips: There are so many hidden opportunities like scholarships, job opportunities, fun gigs. Be open to opportunities and don't hesitate to speak to anyone. You don't know where you find the gold. Do not just sit in the heads of Indian students. Make at least two or three American friends and learn about their work styles and methods.
Likes (Part time work): SDSU has a lot of options for part time jobs. You just have to be proactive. There are ample opportunities in student dorms, dining, TA & RA, and Lab Assistant opportunities. Also, there are many clubs and cultural centres that hire Undergraduate and Graduate Student Assistants. So make sure you follow their Instagram pages for lot many opportunities.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): Permanent settlement in US is very difficult if you follow the track of doing Masters and then availing work permit. It depends on factors if your employer sponsors the position then if your H1B is picked. USCIS has been very strict in recent years considering the immigration norms. US is any time place with lots of money and opportunities. However India is still growing at a rapid pace. So if you are earning more than 20LPA in India with an experience of less than 3 years. I would suggest considering growth opportunities in India!
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 850
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
MS Information Systems - Batch of 2024
4.6
The University in America's Finest City: San Diego State University
Tips: There is a cultural shift as there is a very diverse student population and campus culture. University has welcoming faculty and staff are always ready to help you. SDSU is known for academic excellence, diverse student body and vibrant college life, you can get engaged in research activities on campus. I am satisfied with the course structure and curriculum as it aligns with my area of interest. San Diego is popular for its climate, beaches and attraction.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 802
Prepping time for classes25 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 120420
P
Prashanth Kattela Chandrashekar 
Master of Science in Computer Science - Batch of 2023
4.1
Research well before joining.
Tips: I would say that as a student one should research on the coursework and the department. Thesis requirements, number of credits, course fees and living expenses. The taxes after getting a job are quite high compared to other states in California. All these said San Diego is a beautiful city and I don't intend to leave this city anytime soon.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1011
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 100308

Chiranjivi Aulakh 
MS in Medical Physics - Batch of 2024
4.3
University where you could have fun while studying.
Tips: It is like every other American university. The fees here are less compared to other universities. It is very tough to get scholarships for your fees, but there are a ton of part-time opportunities at the university. Additionally, the weather here is beautiful so you do not have to worry about snow and harsh weather conditions. Plus, the university graduate association is very active, they will take you out for free to some tourist attractions in San Diego like the beach, zoo, sea world, etc.
Likes (Part time work): There are a lot of part time options here in the university. You can work as a TA, RA with your professors in your department. Apart from that, you could also work on campus with many restaurants and cafeterias. Also, the university has a stadium where all kinds of events happen and many students are employed there as well.
Dislikes (Permanent Immigration): It seems like a very long process, with first on F1 visa as a student, then OPT, then H1B and then PR. From what I have heard from the seniors, they have been in the US for like eight to ten years and they are still on some kind of work visa. But, life here is pretty good in San Diego.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1299
Prepping time for classes10 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 59170
V
Vaibhav Joshi 
MS Information Systems - Batch of 2024
5
Wonderfull Life at San Diego State University
Tips: Everyone should research properly for the course curriculum of this university and find out proper accommodations off campus. This university provides each and every information that is required by students, so that they can figure out the best course for themselves.
Likes (Public transportation): SDSU is famous for weekend parties. Everyone enjoys studying, working and parting on campus. The campus has movie night on every Mondays, where we can connect with other fellow students and learn from their experiences. The students here are polite enough to guide other students.
Dislikes (Internships): Faculties help every student to understand each and every concept. San Diego State University has a variety of professors that teaches even after provided class time. They help us in every possible way, be it with assignments, coding lectures and even self doubt classes for upcoming exams.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1507
Prepping time for classes35 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 80034
Views on The University of Illinois at Chicago campus
A
Anonymous
MS in Business Analytics/MS in Management Information Systems - Batch of 2025
Offered by The University of Illinois at Chicago
3.1
The college is good but the quality has deteriorated over time.
Tips: The University of Illinois at Chicago is good. The faculty works hard to give students the best education possible, even though fee waivers have been removed and the dean of CBA has changed, which has affected funding a lot. On-campus positions are good, and every student gets one in the end. The campus atmosphere is excellent. Overall, I am quite satisfied with my experiences.
Likes (Public transportation): The public transportation system here is excellent. There is no place you can't reach with the public transport. With both metro and buses, things only get easier. The only downside is that safety is a concern. There are too many homeless people and gun violence is very high, so you have to be on your toes at all times.
Dislikes (Internships): The market is bad right now, and students are having a hard time getting internships. Even experienced students are finding it difficult to land one. The college doesn't provide much support to help students get internships, but the market has improved recently and is looking positive at the moment.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1275
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 89850
S
Shobhit Srivastava 
BS in Computer Engineering - Batch of 2021
Offered by The University of Illinois at Chicago
4.4
It’s a fun filled and academically driven college.
Tips: The students should know that there are a lot of facilities available on campus for students to access. Ranging from academic to non-academic and extracurricular, so to be involved in any of them the students should know that they can reach out to the faculty as well.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 3457
Prepping time for classes30 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 75957
R
Rohan Rajesh Wangikar 
MS in Mechanical Engineering - Batch of 2024
Offered by The University of Illinois at Chicago
4.4
Moving here has been smooth
Tips: The transition from India to moving here has been good.
I experienced no cultural shift as there are many Indians here as well.
The staff provides no special facilities as such for Indian students but there are orientations. One should know where to stay and what areas to avoid in Chicago.
What courses to go for is an important decision.
Also, an internship requires extra fees. College students should know about the UIC global situation.
No prior courses are required to settle into this course.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 873
Prepping time for classes9 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD
A
Anonymous
BS in Computer Engineering - Batch of 2024
Offered by The University of Illinois at Chicago
4.3
A diverse, supportive, and career-focused university experience.
Tips: The initial transition can be challenging due to the cultural and academic differences, but the support systems in place are really helpful. I didn’t receive a scholarship, but there were many part-time job opportunities to support my expenses. The coursework is intensive, but very rewarding. I'm very satisfied with the quality of teaching, the diversity on campus, and the career opportunities after graduation.
Likes (Student Life): Student life is vibrant and inclusive. I attend lectures, join group studies, and actively participate in clubs like the Entrepreneurship Club and International Students’ Association. Regular cultural events and career fairs make campus life engaging, with great support for academics and well-being.
Dislikes (Indian Food): While there are a few Indian restaurants around, they are often on the expensive side for a student budget. Most serve North Indian cuisine with limited South Indian options. On average, a meal outside can cost anywhere between USD 12 to 20. Because of limited variety and high pricing, I mostly prefer cooking at home. Grocery stores do carry basic Indian spices and ingredients, so it’s manageable if you’re comfortable cooking.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 0
Prepping time for classes18 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 52000
A
Anonymous
Bachelor of Science in Disability and Human Development - Batch of 2023
Offered by The University of Illinois at Chicago
4.4
Great support from faculty and management.
Tips: I have received a scholarship. I had a lot of opportunities like sports activities an industry-relevant curriculum, and strong career placement support, which ultimately translated to a significant return on investment for students entering the competitive job market. All faculty were very supportive and helpful. The tuition fee for my course is largely justified considering the high quality of education provided, including access to specialized faculty, advanced technology, industry-relevant curriculum, and strong career placement support. I can now see the benefits and have no regrets about my decision to study here. Overall, I am satisfied with my experiences.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 5975
Prepping time for classes35 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 103825
G
Gargi 
MS in Construction Engineering and Management - Batch of 2024
Offered by The University of Illinois at Chicago
2.6
University is amazing, but don’t be a Global Student.
Tips: Never apply through Shiksa or any other agency and become a Global Student. I joined UIC via SHIKSHA and I am a research assist currently with 100% tuition waiver, but that was taken away from me only because I am a global student, who did not pay application fees.
Total Monthly ExpenseUSD 1702
Prepping time for classes20 hours/Week
Expected Annual SalaryUSD 60532
H
Himanshu 
Bachelor of Arts in Design Studies - Batch of 2023
Offered by The University of Illinois at Chicago
4.4
Best campus I have ever seen in my life.
Tips: Students should have good ettiquetes and better english speaking and understanding. Students should have better skills to enjoy in good way.
Students should have quality to attract fellow students to make good friends and explore things in the campus.
Likes (Internships): We get so many internships before the final exams. We get internships on the basis of practicals and skills that we have. We get paid internships also to manage expenses of daily routine. We also get apprrciation certificate from the companies to make better CV.
Dislikes (Student Life): Students face more stress and do not enjoy much. Students face stress of exams, internals, practicals, and more over curricular activities. They are bounded by these things ispite of enjoying college life and exploring new things, people and places.
Reviewed on 2 Mar 2022Read more
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