San Diego State University

San Diego, CA · Public

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Admission rate

San Diego State University admitted 37.4% of applicants university-wide (35,709 of 95,444).

CohortAdmit rateAdmittedApplicants
University-wide37.4%35,70995,444
In-state31.3%26,56584,805
Out-of-state90.7%8,2029,043
International applicants59.0%9421,596
Men35.7%13,50237,873
Women38.4%21,57456,120

Of 35,709 admitted students, 6,911 enrolled (19.4% yield).

San Diego State University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C1–C2 · 2025Published cohort admit rates — context, not an applicant-specific probability.

Test scores and GPA of admitted students

GPA (mid-50%, 4.0 scale)
3.504.00

Testing policy: Test-blind (scores not considered)

San Diego State University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections C9–C12 · 2025Published admit stats reflect the entire incoming class unless explicitly labeled international-only.

Cost and financial aid

Published cost of attendance: $53,337/yr.

Out-of-state tuition$20,968
Fees, housing, food, books & other$32,369
Sticker cost of attendance$53,337/yr

Average net price by family income (US, federal aid data)

Under $30k$9,910
$30k–48k$10,017
$48k–75k$12,697
$75k–110k$15,891
Over $110k$23,821

U.S. Dept. of Education · College Scorecard — average net price by family income (Title IV, from IPEDS) · 2023

US applicants

Need- and merit-based aid available.

International applicants

No need-based aid reported for internationals.

San Diego State University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections G–H · 2025

Application requirements

US applicants

  • Self-Reported Academic History
  • Official High School Transcript
  • Official College Transcript (if dual enrollment)
  • Intent to Enroll Deposit ($400)
  • Student Housing License Agreement
  • AP Test Scores (if applicable)
  • IB Test Scores (if applicable)
  • Proof of Immunizations
  • Math and Chemistry Placement Exams (if required) (recommended)
  • SAT or ACT Scores (optional for placement) (optional)
  • EOP Documents (parents' employment and two recommendations)
  • Application fee

International applicants

  • Self-Reported Academic History
  • Official High School Transcript
  • Official College Transcript (if dual enrollment)
  • Intent to Enroll Deposit ($400)
  • Student Housing License Agreement
  • AP Test Scores (if applicable)
  • IB Test Scores (if applicable)
  • Proof of Immunizations
  • Math and Chemistry Placement Exams (if required) (recommended)
  • SAT or ACT Scores (optional for placement) (optional)
  • EOP Documents (parents' employment and two recommendations)
  • Application fee
  • English proficiency (IELTS/TOEFL)
  • GPA credential conversion
  • Predicted Class XII marksheet
  • Financial documentation (I-20)

San Diego State University · Application requirements (official admissions pages) · 2025

Essay prompts

San Diego State University requires no supplemental essays.

Prompts from the Cal State Apply member feed · verified Jul 4, 2026

Graduate outcomes

Median earnings
$64,909
Median earnings · 10 years after entry
Graduation rate
76.4%
Within 150% of normal time
First-year retention
91%
Return for year two · CDS Section B
Median debt
$15,000
At graduation

San Diego State University · U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (2023 release) · 2023Earnings and debt figures are federal data for aid-receiving graduates — cohort outcomes, not a guarantee for any individual student.

Published rankings

  • U.S. News National: #117
  • WSJ: #154
  • Forbes: #87
  • Niche: #158
  • QS: #1001

Deadlines

Academics and campus

Largest degree fields: Business & marketing (24%), Psychology (8%), Social sciences (8%).

Student–faculty ratio: 24:1 · 25% of class sections have under 20 students.

San Diego State University Common Data Set 2025-2026 · Sections E, F, I · 2025Published institutional figures for the reporting year — descriptive of the current student body, not a prediction about your experience.

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