San Diego State University

San Diego State University admits approximately 34.4% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 3 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places SDSU in the selective category among four-year institutions nationwide.

The peer median admission rate of 78.1% highlights the significant difference between San Diego State University's selectivity and typical public institutions, with SDSU admitting 43.6 percentage points fewer applicants than peer schools. This level of selectivity means that students should approach SDSU as a competitive option requiring strong academic preparation.

The university's California location and strong program offerings contribute to high application volumes, making admission more competitive than many public institutions. Students should build comprehensive college lists that include schools with higher acceptance rates to ensure admission options.

The 34.4% acceptance rate means that even well-prepared students face meaningful uncertainty in the admission process. Prospective applicants should treat San Diego State University as a target or slight reach school depending on their academic profile.

The sections below provide context on admitted student characteristics and alternative institutions for students seeking similar outcomes with different admission profiles.

San Diego State University publishes a cost of attendance of $27,357 annually, including $20,170 in out-of-state tuition, $21,630 for room and board, and $908 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid.

The average net price across all income levels is $16,174, representing financial aid savings of $11,183 compared to the sticker price. This places San Diego State University's net price $584 below the peer median of $15,590, indicating competitive affordability within its institutional category.

The university's affordability index ranks at the 78.2nd percentile nationally, reflecting well above average performance in cost management and financial aid effectiveness. Students should focus on net price rather than published costs when evaluating affordability, as SDSU's financial aid substantially reduces actual costs for most families.

The gap between sticker price and net price demonstrates the university's commitment to making education accessible across income levels. Net prices vary significantly by family income, with the lowest-income students paying $9,655 while highest-income families pay $24,913, showing targeted aid distribution that supports educational access for diverse economic backgrounds.

San Diego State University graduates demonstrate consistent earnings growth from early to mid-career periods. Median earnings increase from $52,620 six years after enrollment to $61,120 at eight years and $64,909 at ten years, representing 23.4% growth from the six-year mark.

These outcomes reflect data from a ten-year cohort of 7,828 graduates, providing high confidence in reported figures across diverse academic programs. Graduates earn $205 beyond expectations compared to students with similar demographics at peer institutions, ranking at the 57.0th percentile nationally for value creation.

The earnings range from $39,563 at the 25th percentile to $94,570 at the 75th percentile demonstrates meaningful variation based on program choice and career trajectory. Low-income graduates earn $54,300, indicating solid outcomes for students from lower-income backgrounds.

Approximately 26.1% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, reflecting strong preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education. Compared to peer institutions with a median of $60,543, San Diego State University graduates earn $4,366 more annually, demonstrating the university's effectiveness in preparing students for competitive career outcomes.

San Diego State University offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Adult Health Nurse/Nursing ranks #38 nationally and #21 in California, graduating 224 students with median earnings of $96,266 and a value score of 86.5.

Mechanical Engineering ranks #13 nationally and #7 in California, producing 306 graduates with median earnings of $91,140. Civil Engineering ranks #9 nationally and #7 in California, graduating 191 students with median earnings of $86,596.

Business Administration and Management represents the university's flagship program, ranking #20 nationally and #6 in California while graduating 1,682 students with median earnings of $66,177. General Studies ranks #10 nationally and #4 in California, demonstrating the university's strength across diverse academic areas.

Computer Science ranks #76 nationally and #19 in California, graduating 209 students with median earnings of $91,805, reflecting strong preparation in high-demand technical fields.