San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, CA, offering 134 distinct degree programs across various fields of study. With an enrollment of over 33,654 students, San Diego State University serves a substantial student population.
Key Facts
- 2024 Undergraduate Tuition: $8,290
- 2024 Average Net Price: $16,174 After Financial Aid
- 2024 Acceptance Rate: 34.44% Selective
- 2024 Enrolled Students: 33,654 N/A% Full-Time
- 2024 Graduation Rate: 78.27%
Costs
Tuition Costs
$8,290
2024 Undergraduate Tuition
In 2024, the cost of tuition at San Diego State University was $8,290.
Tuition comparison with similar institutions.
Average Net Price
$16,174
2024 Value
In 2024 San Diego State University had an average net price — the price paid after factoring in grants and loans — of $16,174.
Average net price comparison with similar institutions.
Total Cost of Attendance
$64,696 Estimated 4-Year Total Cost
$16,174 Average Annual Net Price (after aid)
$33,160 4-Year In-State Tuition
$80,680 4-Year Out-of-State Tuition
Costs include tuition and fees. Room & board, books, and other expenses are additional.
4-year total cost breakdown for San Diego State University.
Financial Aid by Income Level
31.42% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Grants
23.14% Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid through Loans
Financial aid distribution by income level.
Student Loan Default Rate
Not reported
3-year cohort default rate (College Scorecard)
The published 3-year cohort default rate for borrowers at San Diego State University was not reported in the College Scorecard extract for this institution.
Cohort default rates account for borrowers who default in the first three years.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
34.44% Acceptance Rate
This institution is selective, accepting about half of all applicants.
Acceptance rate compared to national average.
Test Scores
Test score data is not available for this institution.
Average SAT and ACT scores for admitted students.
Academic Requirements
GPA requirements are not published by this institution. Contact the admissions office for specific academic requirements.
Estimated GPA and test score ranges.
Enrollment
Full-Time vs Part-Time Enrollment
N/A% Full-Time Enrollment
The total enrollment at San Diego State University in 2024 is 33,654 students.
Full-time vs part-time enrollment comparison.
Retention Rate over Time
N/A%
2024 Retention Rate
Retention rate measures the number of first-time students who began their studies the previous fall and returned to school the following fall.
Retention rate over time compared to similar institutions.
Graduates & Outcomes
Time to Complete
56.65% 100% Completion Time
78.27% 150% Completion Time
In 2024, 56.65% of students graduating from San Diego State University completed their program within 100% "normal time".
Completion rates over time compared to similar institutions.
ROI & Programs
Financial value and program information for San Diego State University.
Return on Investment
$15,000 Median Student Debt
$64,909 Median Annual Earnings (10 years)
23.11% Debt-to-Earnings Ratio
903.29% Return on Investment
2.3 years Estimated Payback Period
Financial value analysis for San Diego State University.
Top Programs by Completions
10 Programs Reporting Data
CIP 52.0201: 2,399 completions
General Psychology: 707 completions
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration: 547 completions
Parks, Recreation, & Leisure: 406 completions
Communication and Media Studies: 321 completions
CIP 50.0701: 285 completions
Computer Science: 281 completions
General Biological Sciences: 277 completions
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs: 274 completions
Other/Unknown Programs: 10,928 completions
Most popular programs at San Diego State University.
Employment Outcomes
$52,620 Median Earnings (6 years after entry)
$61,120 Median Earnings (8 years after entry)
$64,909 Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
Earnings outcomes for San Diego State University graduates.
About
San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, CA, offering 134 distinct degree programs across various academic disciplines. The institution enrolls approximately 33,654 students. It is selective, with an admission rate of 34.44%. The institution maintains a 78.27% graduation rate. Approximately 31.42% of students receive Pell Grants.
Institution Type
Public
Location
San Diego, CA 92182-0001
Region: Far West
Insights and Analysis
Diverse Program Offerings: With over 134 distinct degree programs, San Diego State University provides students with a wide range of academic options. This diversity allows students to explore various fields and find programs that align with their interests and career goals.
Data Sources
This page uses data from the following sources:
- College Scorecard - U.S. Department of Education
- Institutional characteristics, costs, completion rates, and earnings data
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: collegescorecard.ed.gov
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
- Employment and wage data by occupation
- Latest data: May 2024
- Source: bls.gov/oes
- O*NET Online - U.S. Department of Labor
- Occupational skills, knowledge, abilities, and work activities
- Database version: 28.0 (August 2023)
- Source: onetcenter.org
- IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) - National Center for Education Statistics
- Institutional data, completions, enrollment, and financial aid
- Data years: 2015-2024
- Source: nces.ed.gov/ipeds
- Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS)
- Demographic and workforce data
- Latest data: 2023 ACS 5-Year Estimates
- Source: census.gov/acs
Data Processing: All data has been processed, cleaned, and aggregated for presentation. Where specific data points are unavailable, estimates are based on available data and clearly marked.
Last Updated: Data reflects the most recent available information as of January 2025.
Methodology
Data for this profile is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard dataset, which provides comprehensive information on institutions of higher education in the United States.
All financial figures are adjusted for inflation and represent the most recent available data. Graduation rates and completion times are calculated according to federal standards.