San Diego State University
A good fit for students who want a major research university experience and in-state California residents. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $55,900 within 10 years; strong 76% graduation rate.
About This School
San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California with approximately 35,377 undergraduate students enrolled. The school is moderately selective, accepting approximately 36% of applicants. The average net price after financial aid is $15,364 per year. The graduation rate is 76%, and the typical graduate earns $55,900 within 10 years of enrollment.
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1897, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system. SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego; its academic roots were established as a normal school in University Heights, then known as the San Diego Normal School. In the fall of 2025, the university enrolled a record 41,184 students.
This is a strong option for students who want a real university experience at a manageable cost — median debt at graduation is just $15,000, which is notably low, and a 90% freshman retention rate signals that students who show up tend to stick around. The 78% graduation rate is decent but not exceptional for a selective school (34% acceptance rate), so motivated students should go in with a plan to finish. Located in San Diego with solid post-grad earnings of $55,900 at the 10-year mark, it offers good value, especially for California residents.
Popular Programs
Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.
Notable Alumni
Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.
Admissions
SAT Scores
ACT Scores
What This School Looks For
From the school's most recent Common Data Set (2024-25). What the admissions office actually weighs:
Cost & Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual cost after grants/scholarships, by household income. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Financial Aid
Full Cost
After Graduation
Earnings 6 Years After Enrollment, by Gender
Gap: 14% less for female graduates. National avg ~16%.
Will This School Pay Off?
Strong return. Graduates earn well above their debt load.
Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.
Student Body
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (35,377 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: San Diego State University Common Data Set (2024-25).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
University of California-San Diego
La Jolla, CA · Public
University of California-Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA · Public
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA · Public
California State University-Northridge
Northridge, CA · Public
Sources & Methodology
Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.
School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.
- Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
- Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
- Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
- Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
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