Overview
San Diego, CA
San Diego State University is a public 4-year college located in San Diego, California. There are currently 33,654 undergraduates at SDSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 34%. The tuition at SDSU is $8,290 for in-state students and $20,170 for out-of-state.
City
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$34,072
$29,778
$16,174
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$34,072Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$45,952Since SDSU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at SDSU is $34,072 for in-state students in CA, and $45,952 for out-of-state students. This includes the cost of tuition and fees, room and board, books and supplies, and other miscellaneous expenses.
The cost of attendance can vary from year to year and will typically rise over your four years in college. That said, colleges will recalculate your financial aid every year to take price increases and changes in your financial situation into account.
College costs can look different for every student based on their financial situation. To get a more accurate picture of what tuition at SDSU would look like for you, try entering your financial information into their Net Price Calculator.
San Diego State University Financial Aid
To apply for financial aid at San Diego State University, you’ll need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year. That means you can submit the form even if you or your parents haven’t filed last year’s taxes.
The FAFSA code for San Diego State University is 003471.
If you are looking for more information on how to complete the FAFSA, check out Scholarships360’s How to Complete the FAFSA Guide.
Using State Grants at SDSU
If you reside in California and are considering SDSU, be sure to investigate the Cal Grant. You can apply by submitting your FAFSA or CA Dream Act Application, but you must meet the program's deadline in order to qualify. If you meet financial and other requirements, you may receive over $14,000 per year towards education expenses. The amount received depends on the type of institution you attend and your financial need.
Apply to these scholarships due soon
See more California scholarshipsWestern Undergraduate Tuition Exchange
SDSU is in a state that participates in the Western Undergraduate Tuition Exchange program. That means if you are a resident of Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, or Wyoming, you may be eligible for discounted tuition at SDSU. Check out the full list of requirements and participating schools on their website.
Pell Grants at San Diego State University
24% of students at San Diego State University receive Pell Grants.
The federal government awards Pell Grants to undergraduate students who demonstrate financial need by filling out the FAFSA. Students with a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible. Pell Grants do not be repaid. If you receive a Pell Grant, the award amount should remain consistent at any college you gain admission to. You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
Students can use outside scholarships to supplement their financial aid package at SDSU. Outside scholarships are awards offered by private and non-profit organizations separate from their college. To browse vetted, reliable outside scholarships, check out our popular lists:
Admissions
34%
Is SDSU test-optional?
San Diego State University is test-blind, which means that it does not allow applicants to submit their SAT or ACT scores. That means that they won’t consider these scores from any applicant. Decisions are based more heavily on grades, extracurricular activities, essays, interviews, and other factors.
What is the application deadline at SDSU?
Regular Decision
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
22:1
Graduation Rate
78%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
25%
25% of graduates
Engineering
9%
9% of graduates
Social Sciences
8%
8% of graduates
Psychology
7%
7% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
6%
6% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
5%
5% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
4%
4% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
4%
4% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
3%
3% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Education
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
33,654
Pell Grant 31%
Undergrad Students Over 25 12%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 11%
Percent Male / Female 44% / 56%
Ethnic Diversity at SDSU
36% Hispanic
34% White
13% Asian / Pacific Islander
7% Multiracial
4% Black
3% Unknown
2% International / Non-Citizen
Student Outcomes
Graduate Income
$64,909
Median Debt $15,000
Debt 10 years after graduation $159
Graduation Rate 78%
What is the graduation rate at San Diego State University?
78% of students who start at San Diego State University finish their degree within six years of enrolling. This is 20% more than the national median. A higher graduation rate indicates that students have better experiences at an institution.
How much do graduates of San Diego State University go on to earn?
The median income of students 10 years after starting at San Diego State University is $64,909. This is $14,518 more than the national median.
This data is from the College Scorecard, which only surveys students from San Diego State University who received federal financial aid.
Graduate earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Major and career path are two important factors in how much a student goes on to earn. For more information, check out Scholarships360’s article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at SDSU take out in loans?
Graduates of SDSU take out a median of $15,000 in federal student loans. As you make decisions about your college loans, be sure to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Scholarships360’s guide to navigating these different options is a great place to start.
Data Sources
We strive to provide users with the most up-to-date information and source data from publicly available sources, including the College Scorecard and directly from the colleges. College statistics can change throughout the year, but we do our best to update them as quickly as possible. If you see an error, feel free to contact us.
If you represent San Diego State University and would like to make any corrections or supplement your college profile with additional information, you can fill out our free Premium Profile questionnaire here.
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