San Diego State University
School Overview: Acceptance Rate, Tuition, and More
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$5,742
Avg in-state tuition
$17,622
Avg out-of-state tuition
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About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a large public university located on an urban campus in San Diego, California. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 31,491, and admissions are very selective, with an acceptance rate of 37%. The university offers 93 bachelor's degrees, has an average graduation rate of 76%, and a student-faculty ratio of 27:1. Tuition and fees for in-state students are $5,742, while tuition and fees for out-of-state students are $17,622.
Rankings
Learn more about how this school compares to other schools with rankings by BestColleges.
- #1 Ranked in The Best MSN Programs in California
- #2 Ranked in The Best Colleges for LGBTQ+ Students
- #4 Ranked in Best Online Accelerated Bachelor's Degrees
- #6 Ranked in Best Public Administration Programs
- #7 Ranked in Best Online Accelerated Criminal Justice Degree 2023
- #9 Ranked in Best Speech Pathology Programs
- #9 Ranked in The Best Graduate Schools for Clinical Psychology Programs
- #10 Ranked in Best Colleges for Hispanic Students
- #16 Ranked in The Best College for LGBTQ+ Students In Each State
- #42 Ranked in 50 Best Graduate Nursing Schools in America
Admissions Breakdown
Acceptance Rate Insight
This school has a competitive acceptance rate.
This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.
This school has a competitive acceptance rate.
This school is a little more selective about its students. Competitive acceptance schools welcome 15-50% of all applicants.
37% of students were accepted during the 2020-2021 school year. Sometimes schools with midrange acceptance rates have higher standards of entry but are still accessible to many students who apply.
Retention Rate Insight
Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.
This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.
Learn more about how we determine school awards
Students remain enrolled in this school at a higher rate than other schools.
This typically means students are happy with their school selection and wish to continue their education there.
Learn more about how we determine school awards89% of full-time students stayed to continue their studies the following academic year. These students started in Fall 2019 and returned in Fall 2020.
Graduation Rate Insight
76% of students graduated out of all full-time, first-time students who began their studies in Fall 2014. Keep in mind many students who enroll are not typically first-time students, as most are adult learners. Therefore, the number of first-time students is traditionally low.
Application Considerations
Test scores Required
High school transcript Required
High school rank Not required or recommended
Letter of recommendation Not required or recommended
High school GPA Required
Open admission No
Completion of college prep program Required
Test of English as a foreign language (TOEFL) Not required or recommended
Transfer Credit Policy
Dual enrollment Yes
Credit for qualified life experience* Yes
Advance placement (AP) credits Yes
*This can include previous jobs, trainings, licenses/credentials, or seminars. You may need to complete an exam or provide a portfolio to earn credit.
SAT & ACT
ACT 25th-75th Percentile 22-29
SAT 25th-75th Percentile 1090-1300
Learning Environment
Student Body Stats
This school has a student body of more than 15,000 students.
Learn more about how we determine school awards36k
Students enrolled
99%
Online student enrollment
27:1
Student to faculty ratio
Ways Students Can Learn
Demographics
White
34%
Hispanic
33%
Asian
13%
Two or more races
6%
Non-U.S. Citizen
5%
Unknown
4%
Black
4%
American Indian/Alaska Native
0%
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0%
Female student population
57%
Socio-economic diversity
26% of students received an income-based Federal Pell Grant intended for low-income students.
Explore Similar Schools
Online Programs
Offers Online Programs
Yes
Online Programs
13
Total Online Enrollment
35,821
Percent of Programs Online
94% On-campus
6% Online
Types of Online Programs Offered
Certificates Not offered
Associate Not offered
Bachelor's 6% online
Graduate Certificate 3% online
Master's 7% online
Doctorate Not offered
Student Charges
Tuition and Required Fees
| Student Level | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Graduate | $7,176 | $16,680 |
Cost of Undergraduate Attendance
Costs based on full-time, first-time degree or certificate-seeking undergraduates for the 2020–2021 academic year.
| Costs to Consider | Price |
|---|---|
| Books and supplies | $1,079 |
| On-campus room and board | $18,531 |
| On-campus other expenses | $2,910 |
| Off-campus (not with family) room and board | $13,860 |
| Off-campus (not with family) other expenses | $3,515 |
| Off-campus (with family) other expenses | $3,986 |
Total Undergraduate Cost
| Total cost by category | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| On-campus | $28,262 | $40,142 |
| Off-campus without family | $24,196 | $36,076 |
| Off-campus with family | $10,807 | $22,687 |
Financial Breakdown
Students Receiving Aid
Federal Grant Aid
26%
State Grant Aid
41%
Institution Grant Aid
25%
Pell Grant
26%
Average Aid Awarded
Financial Outlook
$15k
Average student debt after graduation
$42k
Average salary 6 years after starting school
Varsity Athletic Teams
NCAA Division I-FBS
of the overall student body is a member of an athletic team.
Participation
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Lacrosse
- Rowing
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming Diving
- Tennis
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- All Track Combined
- Baseball
Degrees Awarded by Program
Degrees given for the 2020-2021 academic year.
- All Track Combined
- Football
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