San Jose State combines accessible 80.2% admission rates with exceptional economic outcomes, serving nearly half first-generation students while delivering earnings that rank in the top 7% nationally. Located in Silicon Valley, the university provides proximity to high-paying careers with public university affordability.
With excellent results, driven by strong long-term earnings relative to educational costs
With strong results, reflecting controlled net prices and manageable debt levels
With strong performance, indicating above-average enrollment of Pell-eligible and first-generation students
With exceptional performance, reflecting the university's outstanding ability to serve diverse students while delivering strong earnings outcomes
Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Full AnalysisSan Jose State delivers exceptional return on investment through strong earnings outcomes combined with controlled costs and manageable debt levels. Graduates earn $78,988 ten years after enrollment, ranking in the 93.0rd percentile nationally, with earnings ranging from $48,356 at the 25th percentile to $115,546 at the 75th percentile.
This 2.4:1 ratio reflects diverse career paths across programs while maintaining strong overall outcomes. The institution generates $25,635 in earnings beyond expectations, placing it in the 96.2nd percentile nationally on this critical value measure.
Students from diverse backgrounds seeking strong post-graduation outcomes at accessible admission rates, particularly those interested in engineering, business, or health programs. Well-suited for first-generation students (49.0%) and Pell-eligible students (35.4%) who want a large public university with demonstrated economic mobility in Silicon Valley's job market.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
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This is the San Jose State University hub overview page. For comprehensive institutional data including detailed charts and metrics, visit the full analysis at /school/san-jose-state-university/analysis.
Top 20 nationally for economic mobility
San Jose State University ranks #18 nationally in Azimuth's composite analysis, placing at the 98.9th percentile with exceptional performance among public universities. Located in San Jose, California, this large public institution maintains an accessible 80.2% admission rate while delivering strong post-graduation outcomes that exceed expectations.
San Jose State enrolls 35.4% Pell-eligible students and 49.0% first-generation students, positioning it well above typical peers on access measures. Graduates earn $25,635 beyond expectations relative to similar students, ranking at the 96.2nd percentile nationally for earnings uplift.
Median earnings reach $78,988 ten years after enrollment, placing San Jose State in the 93.0th percentile for long-term earnings outcomes. This combination of accessible admissions, above-average access, and exceptional economic outcomes places San Jose State firmly within the Mobility Engine quadrant, where institutions serve diverse student populations while achieving strong earnings growth.
San Jose State admits approximately 80.2% of applicants, meaning roughly 4 in 5 applicants receive an offer of admission. This places San Jose State in the Open Access category (admissions above 75%), making it significantly more accessible than many four-year institutions.
The peer median admission rate of 78.1% shows San Jose State is closely aligned with similar public universities in selectivity, admitting about 2 percentage points more applicants than typical peers. This level of accessibility means that academically prepared students have strong chances of admission, though competitive programs like engineering and business may have additional requirements.
The university's accessible admission standards support its mission as a public institution serving diverse student populations, including high percentages of first-generation and transfer students. Students should view San Jose State as a realistic option while still demonstrating strong academic preparation, particularly for popular majors that may have higher internal competition.
The combination of accessible admission with strong post-graduation outcomes makes San Jose State an attractive option for students seeking both educational opportunity and career advancement. For students building college lists, San Jose State represents a solid choice with favorable admission odds and proven graduate success in the competitive Bay Area job market.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
San Jose State's published cost of attendance reaches $25,695 per year, including $7,992 in-state tuition, $19,866 for room and board, and $938 for books and supplies. However, the average student pays significantly less after financial aid, with a net price of $13,741 representing savings of $11,954 annually.
This net price falls $1,849 below the peer median of $15,590, making San Jose State more affordable than typical similar institutions. The university's location in the expensive San Francisco Bay Area means that published costs reflect regional housing and living expenses, but substantial financial aid helps offset these costs for most students.
California residents benefit from the lower in-state tuition rate, though out-of-state students face $19,872 in tuition charges. The significant gap between sticker price and actual net price demonstrates San Jose State's commitment to affordability through robust financial aid programs.
Students should focus on net price rather than published costs when evaluating affordability, as the majority of students receive substantial aid that makes attendance more accessible than initial cost figures suggest. The controlled net price relative to regional costs and peer institutions positions San Jose State as an affordable pathway to high-earning careers in the competitive Bay Area job market.
San Jose State graduates demonstrate strong earnings growth over time, with median earnings rising from $62,448 six years after enrollment to $70,420 at eight years and $78,988 at ten years, representing 26.5% growth from the six-year mark. These outcomes are based on a ten-year cohort of 6,197 graduates, providing high confidence in the reported figures across a diverse range of academic programs.
Graduates earn $25,635 beyond expectations compared to similar students nationally, placing San Jose State in the 96.2nd percentile for earnings uplift. This exceptional value-added performance reflects the institution's effectiveness in translating educational access into career advancement.
Low-income graduates earn $62,100, demonstrating strong outcomes for students from diverse economic backgrounds. Earnings span from $48,356 at the 25th percentile to $115,546 at the 75th percentile, with the distribution reflecting program diversity from liberal arts to high-demand engineering fields.
Approximately 25.9% of graduates continue to graduate or professional study, indicating balanced preparation for both workforce entry and advanced education pathways.
Computer Science.
163 graduates
Adult Health Nurse/Nursing.
170 graduates
Computer Engineering, General.
276 graduates
Electrical and Electronics Engineering.
96 graduates
Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering, General.
82 graduates
San Jose State offers 20 bachelor's degree programs with federal earnings data for comprehensive outcome analysis. Computer Science ranks #17 nationally and #5 in California, producing 163 graduates with exceptional median earnings of $136,471 and a value score of 91.3.
Adult Health Nursing ranks #2 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 170 students with median earnings of $130,227 and an outstanding value score of 99.6. Computer Engineering ranks #3 nationally and #2 in California, with 276 graduates earning $127,047.
Business Administration and Management represents the institution's largest program, graduating 1,548 students annually with median earnings of $67,641 and ranking #30 nationally. Psychology ranks #8 nationally and #2 in California, graduating 428 students with median earnings of $55,532 and a value score of 98.0.
These flagship programs demonstrate San Jose State's strength in both high-demand technical fields and comprehensive business education.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
California State University-Sacramento Similar quality tier in West (#17 ranked) | CA | 94% | $64,876 | #17 | Compare |
University Of Central Florida Similar quality tier (#19 ranked) | FL | 40% | $58,308 | #19 | Compare |
Texas A & M University-College Station Similar quality tier (#21 ranked) | TX | 63% | $72,097 | #21 | Compare |
The University Of Texas At Arlington Similar quality tier (#22 ranked) | TX | 81% | $63,199 | #22 | Compare |
California State University-Northridge Similar quality tier in West (#16 ranked) | CA | 93% | $59,115 | #16 | Compare |
