At a glance
Average net price
$15,364
In-state, after aid
6-year graduation rate
76.4%
Admission rate
36%
Undergrad size
35,377
In-state tuition
$8,728
Out-of-state tuition
$21,328
Cost of attendance
$27,780
Median earnings (10y)
$64,909
Admissions
- SAT average
- Not available
- ACT midpoint
- Not available
- Retention
- 90.6%
- Locale
- City
Programs breakdown
24 program areas reported · Academic mix is led by business (27%), humanities & arts (21%), social sciences (19%).
- STEM16%
- Health6%
- Business27%
- Humanities & arts21%
- Social sciences19%
- Trades & services11%
- Business27.1%~9,580 students/yr · BusinessCompare schools
- Psychology7.8%~2,749 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Social sciences7.7%~2,720 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- Engineering7.4%~2,607 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~2,225 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- Communication6.3%~2,218 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~2,094 students/yr · HealthCompare schools
- ~1,723 students/yr · Trades & servicesCompare schools
- ~1,627 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~1,153 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Liberal arts3.1%~1,100 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~1,022 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Computer science2.5%~899 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Education1.6%~577 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~534 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- English1.5%~517 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~393 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~375 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- History1.0%~364 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- ~308 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- Mathematics0.8%~279 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
- ~134 students/yr · Social sciencesCompare schools
- ~99 students/yr · Humanities & artsCompare schools
- Engineering tech0.2%~71 students/yr · STEMCompare schools
Share of all degrees and certificates awarded in each broad CIP-2 program area (U.S. Department of Education, latest reporting year). Estimated students/yr = share × undergrad size.
Specific majors offered
40 specific majors with reported completions. Earnings shown are median annual earnings 1 year after graduation; debt is median student-loan debt at graduation.
| Major | Credential | Grads | Median earnings | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor's | 3,883 | $38,950 | $15,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor's | 1,345 | $25,695 | $14,301 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor's | 832 | $31,547 | $12,998 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness. | Bachelor's | 760 | $24,520 | $15,000 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Bachelor's | 600 | $28,861 | $15,862 |
| Biology, General. | Bachelor's | 561 | $33,006 | $17,998 |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Bachelor's | 551 | $34,509 | $15,675 |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor's | 503 | $65,965 | $19,994 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor's | 501 | $22,994 | $9,899 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor's | 465 | $62,997 | $16,499 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor's | 459 | $25,662 | $12,496 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Master's | 442 | $44,430 | — |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor's | 407 | $89,225 | $18,875 |
| Education, General. | Master's | 401 | — | — |
| Economics. | Bachelor's | 374 | $42,818 | $15,250 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor's | 369 | $63,495 | $19,832 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor's | 331 | $31,838 | $12,500 |
| Public Health. | Bachelor's | 331 | — | $13,812 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor's | 314 | $23,879 | $15,000 |
| Journalism. | Bachelor's | 312 | $33,791 | $14,998 |
| Political Science and Government. | Bachelor's | 305 | $30,004 | $17,068 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master's | 288 | $84,200 | — |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Bachelor's | 281 | $26,064 | $12,999 |
| Public Health. | Master's | 243 | $53,580 | — |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor's | 238 | $73,334 | $16,248 |
| Social Work. | Bachelor's | 228 | $34,581 | $15,176 |
| English Language and Literature, General. | Bachelor's | 224 | $24,209 | $14,997 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Bachelor's | 221 | $33,271 | $13,191 |
| Social Work. | Master's | 217 | $52,005 | — |
| Chemistry. | Bachelor's | 209 | $40,950 | $17,499 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor's | 207 | $72,385 | $18,165 |
| International Business. | Bachelor's | 203 | $41,595 | $13,644 |
| Nutrition Sciences. | Bachelor's | 194 | — | $18,000 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering. | Bachelor's | 181 | $61,870 | $23,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Bachelor's | 179 | $24,147 | $15,248 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics. | Bachelor's | 166 | $26,059 | $14,957 |
| History. | Bachelor's | 148 | $27,033 | $13,881 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Graduate certificate | 146 | — | — |
| Student Counseling and Personnel Services. | Master's | 144 | $47,952 | — |
| Public Administration. | Bachelor's | 132 | $34,977 | $15,000 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Field of Study. Earnings cover graduates who received federal financial aid and are working / not enrolled. Cells marked "—" are not reported or were suppressed for privacy.
About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a very large institution located in San Diego, California, primarily awarding the bachelor's degree. It enrolls roughly 35,377 undergraduate students in a city setting. The most popular fields of study include Business, Psychology, Social sciences.
Cost & tuition
The average net price at San Diego State University — what a typical student actually pays after grants and scholarships — is $15,364 per year, which is moderately priced compared to other U.S. institutions. Sticker tuition runs $8,728 for in-state students and $21,328 for out-of-state students before aid. Total cost of attendance, including housing, books, and living expenses, comes to about $27,780 annually.
Graduation & earnings outcomes
The 6-year graduation rate is 76.4%, a strong completion outcome. 90.6% of first-time students return for a second year, a useful proxy for student satisfaction and academic fit. Ten years after enrolling, the median graduate earns $64,909 per year according to U.S. Department of Education earnings tracking.
Programs & majors
San Diego State University confers degrees and certificates across 24 broad program areas, with the largest concentrations of completions in Business, Psychology, Social sciences. Grouped into wider academic categories, the mix is led by business (27% of credentials), humanities & arts (21% of credentials), social sciences (19% of credentials), which gives a quick read on the school's overall academic profile. Use the programs breakdown below to see every reported area, an estimated number of students per program per year, and links to compare other U.S. colleges in the same field.
Admissions
San Diego State University accepts 36% of applicants, making it selective.
Location & campus
Set in San Diego, California (city), San Diego State University draws students from across California and beyond. Prospective students often weigh proximity, cost of living, and local industry demand when choosing between schools in this area.
Frequently asked questions about San Diego State University
Q.How much does San Diego State University cost?
The average net price at San Diego State University is $15,364 per year after grants and scholarships, with total cost of attendance around $27,780.
Q.What is the graduation rate at San Diego State University?
San Diego State University has a 6-year graduation rate of 76.4% according to the latest U.S. Department of Education data.
Q.How hard is it to get into San Diego State University?
San Diego State University admits 36% of applicants, which is considered selective.
Q.How much do San Diego State University graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, the median San Diego State University graduate earns $64,909 per year.
Q.What is tuition at San Diego State University?
Published tuition is $8,728 in-state and $21,328 out-of-state. Most students pay less than the sticker price after financial aid.
Q.Where is San Diego State University located?
San Diego State University is located in San Diego, California (ZIP 92182).
Data on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard and IPEDS, the federal sources colleges are required to report to. Net price, graduation rate, and earnings figures reflect the latest available federal release. Always verify current tuition and program availability directly with San Diego State University at their official website.