San Jose State University
A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and families looking for lower cost. no major red flags in the data. solid earnings of $63,800 within 10 years.
About This School
San Jose State University is a public institution located in San Jose, California with approximately 27,601 undergraduate students enrolled. San Jose State University has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 85%. The average net price after financial aid is $13,760 per year. The graduation rate is 69%, and the typical graduate earns $63,800 within 10 years of enrollment.
San José State University is a public research university in San Jose, California, United States. Established in 1857 as the state's first normal school, it is the oldest public university in the western United States and is the founding campus of the California State University system.
The oldest public university in the western U.S., this Silicon Valley school offers real career proximity to tech and engineering employers, reflected in a solid median salary of $63,800 ten years out — with relatively low debt at $15,000. That said, a 65% graduation rate is worth taking seriously, meaning about 1 in 3 students who start here don't finish, so come in with a clear plan and support system. Worth considering if you're pursuing a technical or business field and want an affordable California public school with direct access to the Bay Area job market.
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 (2024-2025). 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: 12% 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 (27,601 undergraduates).
In the Classroom & On Campus
Class size distribution
Source: San Jose State University Common Data Set (2024-2025).
Contact & Location
Official Links
Other Schools in California
California State University-Fullerton
Fullerton, CA · Public
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA · Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, 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
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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