Overview
San Diego, CA San Diego State University is a public 4-year college located in San Diego, California. There are currently 31,810 undergraduates at SDSU and the school’s acceptance rate is 39%. The tuition at SDSU is $8,174 for in-state students and $20,054 for out-of-state.
City
Scholarships & Financial Aid
$32,110
$31,269
$12,721
Cost Breakdown
In-State
In-State Estimated Cost:
$32,110for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Out-of-State
Out-Of-State Estimated Cost:
$43,990for the 2023-2024 Academic Year
Since SDSU is a public university, there are different costs for in-state students and out-of-state students. The sticker price at SDSU is $32,110 for in-state students in CA, and $43,990 for out-of-state students. This sticker price includes costs for tuition, books and supplies, room and board, and other miscellaneous expenses.
It’s also important to note that the cost of attendance can vary from year to year and typically it will rise over your four years in college. With that said, your financial aid will also be recalculated every year to take any price increases, as well as any 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
Students who are applying for financial aid at San Diego State University need to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (or FAFSA). The FAFSA uses financial information from the prior, prior year which means that you don’t need to wait for the year to end and can use last year’s financial information.
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 our 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 scholarships
Western 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
25% of students at San Diego State University receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to undergraduate students with demonstrated financial need (students who have a bachelor’s or professional degree are not eligible). Pell Grants are awarded by the federal government and do not need to be repaid. To apply for a Pell Grant, students will need to submit their FAFSA. If you are awarded a Pell Grant, you’ll see it listed in your financial aid award letter if you are accepted to San Diego State University.
You can learn more about Pell Grant eligibility here.
Outside Scholarships
SDSU students can also apply for outside scholarships to fund their education. Outside scholarships are awards that are offered by private and non-profit organizations. If you want to see what outside scholarships you are eligible for, check out these resources:
Admissions
39%
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.
Regular Decision
What is the application deadline at SDSU?
Students must apply by November 30 to enroll at SDSU during the fall semester. Remember that college applications involve many pieces, including essays, a transcript, letters of recommendation, and more. Be sure to start your application as soon as you can to make sure you have enough time to make it as compelling as possible.
Academics
Student/Faculty Ratio
25:1
Graduation Rate
78%
Popular Majors
Percent of Students
Business, Management, & Marketing
22%
22% of graduates
Engineering
9%
9% of graduates
Psychology
8%
8% of graduates
Social Sciences
7%
7% of graduates
Health Professions & Related Programs
6%
6% of graduates
Communications & Journalism
6%
6% of graduates
Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies.
5%
5% of graduates
Parks, Recreation, Leisure, & Fitness Studies
5%
5% of graduates
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting & Related Protective Services
5%
5% of graduates
Visual & Performing Arts
4%
4% of graduates
Biological & Biomedical Sciences
4%
4% of graduates
Computer & Information Sciences
3%
3% of graduates
Liberal Arts & Humanities
3%
3% of graduates
Public Administration & Social Services
2%
2% of graduates
Physical Sciences
2%
2% of graduates
Education
2%
2% of graduates
English Language & Literature
1%
1% of graduates
Natural Resources & Conservation
1%
1% of graduates
Mathematics
1%
1% of graduates
Languages & Literatures
1%
1% of graduates
History
1%
1% of graduates
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, & Gender Studies
1%
1% of graduates
Student Body
Undergraduate Students
31,810
Pell Grant 32%
Undergrad Students Over 25 13%
Part-Time Undergrad Students 11%
Percent Male / Female 43% / 57%
Ethnic Diversity at SDSU
35% Hispanic
35% White
13% Asian / Pacific Islander
7% Multiracial
4% Black
3% International / Non-Citizen
3% Unknown
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 end up finishing 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?
10 years after starting school at San Diego State University, the median earnings among students who received federal financial aid was $64,909. This is $14,518 more than the national median.
Earnings can vary widely based on many factors other than school choice. Your major and career path can cause substantial changes in your income down the line. For more information, check out our article on the average starting salary out of college.
How much do students at SDSU take out in loans?
Graduates of SDSU have to take out a median of $15,000 in federal student loans. This is $1,500 more than the national median. As you make decisions about your college loans, it’s important to inform yourself on the advantages and disadvantages of each loan option. Our 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.
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