Admit rate has ranged 34%–39% over the last 5 years. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
San Diego State University blends sun-soaked California living with serious academic chops—particularly in business, engineering, and health sciences. With a 36% acceptance rate and a graduation rate 11% above national expectations, SDSU delivers strong ROI ($540K 20-year net return) alongside a vibrant campus culture fueled by 400+ student orgs and Division I athletics.
Admission requirements
Test-blind — scores not considered
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
35,377
In-state tuition
$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
$21,328
Acceptance Rate
36%
Graduation Rate
82%
Mid-Career Salary
$127,700
On-Campus Housing
24% of students
Student Organizations
400+
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$64,909
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
4.2×
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
Graduation rate
76%
First-year retention
91%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
66%
Pell (lower-income) share
70%
First-generation share
41%
Endowment / student
$13,529
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$87,377
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician$72,231
Computer Engineering$70,456
Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering$69,757
Computer Science$66,318
Mechanical Engineering
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
17
Per 1,000 students
0.48
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
243
Summer high
81°F
Winter low
46°F
Annual rain
15.7"
Natural-hazard risk
Very High
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
584
Scholarly works
52,073
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
3.7%
Bottom → top quintile
41%
From bottom quintile
9%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at San Diego State University?
San Diego State University's acceptance rate is approximately 36% (San Diego, CA), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
How much does San Diego State University cost?
At San Diego State University, the average net price (after aid) is about $15,364 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend San Diego State University?
San Diego State University enrolls approximately 35,377 undergraduate students.
Where is San Diego State University located?
San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA.
Admissions
SDSU is selective but not cutthroat, with a 36% acceptance rate (down from 34% in 2019) and 59,051 applicants vying for spots in recent years. Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight. since 2020, the middle 50% of admitted students posted SAT scores of 1130–1340 or ACT scores of 23–29, with an average GPA of 3.84. The November 30 deadline is strict, and popular majors like business and engineering are especially competitive. Notably, 55% of freshmen live on campus, easing the transition to college life.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$65,089
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering$63,005
Civil Engineering$62,317
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
SDSU offers 97 bachelor’s programs, 84 master’s degrees, and 23 doctoral programs, with standouts in business, engineering, nursing, and speech-language pathology. The curriculum leans practical—think accounting and healthcare over abstract theory—and students praise the research opportunities and approachable faculty. One Reddit user noted, 'I’ve taught classes as a grad student and received awards here,' highlighting the university’s investment in mentorship. The 400+ student orgs include a famed marching band and competitive soccer teams, blending academics with campus spirit.
Life at SDSU splits between beach trips and campus hustle. With 24% of students in university housing (mostly freshmen), the dorms buzz with movie nights and food demos. Off-campus, San Diego’s nightlife and outdoor scene dominate. 'If you’re outgoing, it’s easy to find friends and parties,' notes a Reddit user, while others highlight the European exchange students who add global flair. The 400+ clubs range from cultural groups to intramural sports, and Division I athletics (especially basketball) fuel school pride. Expect a mix of laid-back Californians and ambitious go-getters.
SDSU graduates outperform peers, with an 82% graduation rate (vs. 59% national avg) and mid-career salaries hitting $127,700. The 20-year net ROI is $540,000, and 66% of alumni land jobs straight away. Notably, earnings jump from $42,235 at one year post-grad to $65,488 by year five—a testament to the university’s career-ready focus. Money magazine rated SDSU a 'top value' in 2025, praising its 11% higher-than-expected graduation rate and strong ROI for in-state students.
After aid, the average net price is $13,017, with 55% of students receiving financial aid (avg package: $18,278). The Net priceWhat a family actually pays after grants and scholarships are subtracted from the sticker price — usually far less than the published cost. calculator helps estimate grants, though median debt post-grad is $15,000. In-state tuition is a relative bargain for California, but out-of-state costs add pressure. Scholarships target both incoming and current students, with 47% of freshmen securing grants. Pro tip: Apply early for the best aid options.
SDSU merges SoCal vibes with academic rigor—where else can you surf between accounting classes and cheer a Top 25 basketball team? Its career-focused programs (like nursing and engineering) deliver salaries 44% above the national median, while the campus thrums with 400+ clubs and D1 sports. The secret sauce? A balance of accessibility (Test-optionalA policy where you choose whether to submit SAT or ACT scores. If you don't, the rest of your application carries more weight., 36% acceptance) and outcomes (82% grad rate, $540K ROI). For students who want sunshine without sacrificing ROI, it’s a golden ticket.
San Diego State University logo · sourceSan Diego State University Buildings and Campus | City of San Diego Official Website · sourceSan Diego State University - Santa Monica College · sourceWhere to Live at San Diego State University: Housing Options for The A – CAPGOWN · source
