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San Diego , CA
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university located in San Diego, California. Established in 1897, SDSU is one of the largest and oldest universities in the state and is part of the California State University system. The university offers a wide range of academic programs through its seven colleges, including business administration, engineering, arts and sciences, education, professional studies, health and human services, and the Fowler College of Business. In addition to its academic excellence, SDSU is known for its vibrant campus community, diverse student body, and strong commitment to both local and global engagement.
SDSU is renowned for its strong emphasis on research and innovation. It is classified as a ôResearch University with high research activityö by the Carnegie Foundation, with numerous research centers and institutes dedicated to fields such as climate change, public health, cybersecurity, and wireless communications. The university also provides students with ample opportunities for internships, cooperative education, and other hands-on experiences that enable them to apply their classroom learning to real-world situations.
Apart from its academic offerings, SDSU boasts a vibrant campus life. With over 33,000 students enrolled, the campus is known for its active and engaged student body. Students have access to more than 300 different organizations and clubs that cater to a variety of interests, including music, sports, culture, community service, and more. The campus also hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, theater performances, athletic competitions, guest speakers, and cultural celebrations, providing a dynamic and enriching environment for students.
Overall, San Diego State University offers a rich and diverse educational experience, combining rigorous academic programs with a vibrant campus life. With its commitment to research, innovation, and community engagement, SDSU provides students with the tools and opportunities they need to succeed both inside and outside the classroom.
San Diego State University is a public university located in San Diego, CA and set in an urban environment. This institution follows a semester-based calendar. It has an acceptance rate of 35%. The freshman retention rate at San Diego State University is 91% and the six-year graduation rate is 76%.
The freshmen application deadline for this school is November 30. The transfer application deadline is November 30.
Here are some recent data on important things to consider about San Diego State University.
Quick Facts
34,637
Total Number of Undergraduate Students
24:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
76%
Graduation Rate
Admissions
You need to discover as much as you can about the entrance requirements of the school in order to maximize your chances of being accepted. Discover some vital info about admission at San Diego State University.
In 2025, the school accepted 32,561 new students. As far as admission difficulty is considered, based on data self-reported by the institution this school is moderately difficult to get into.
Test Scores
The latest reported average GPA of the enrolled students was 3.84. Therefore, the chances are that you'll need a GPA higher than the average for acceptance,.
Deadlines
The deadline for submitting applications to this school is November 30. For transfer students, note that the application deadline is November 30.
Retention Rate
The freshman retention rate is defined as the percentage of first-year students who return for their sophomore year at a college or university. That information can tell you if the majority of new students liked their first year enough to come back.
The freshman retention rate for San Diego State University was 91% in 2025, which is an excellent retention rate only the most prestigious institutions achieve.
The graduation rate is another indicator to take into account. It reflects the proportion of students who obtain their degrees within the expected timeframe. This academic institution has the six-year graduation rate of 76%, which is considered an above-average graduation rate.
Student Body
Deciding if a school is the right fit for you is not an easy task. Knowing more about the student population can help you get a clearer picture of the school's culture and life.
Main Student Body
The overall number of students enrolled at San Diego State University in 2025 was 39,373.
The school reported an out-of-state student body portion of 16% for that year. The total number of undergraduate students enrolled at the school was 34,637, 920 of which were international students. The number of transfer students at this school was 4,222.
Student Population Gender Ratio
The student body is coeducational, with 14,489 male and 20,027 female full-time students in 2025, which speaks volumes for gender equality at this institution.
Student Population Diversity
In order to enhance a sense of inclusion and belonging among its students, higher education is dedicated to increasing student diversity. A heterogeneous student body brings together individuals from different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives. Discover more about the many ethnic communities that go to this school.
This school had 4,563 Asian students and 1,187 Afro-American students in 2025. 12,493 undergrads at this school identified as Hispanic/Latino and 2,592 identified with more than one race. The school also had 63 students who identified as Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 55 American Indian or Alaska Native students. There were also 1,195 students whose ethnicity is unknown.
Cost
Financial planning for school is one of the most important things to consider before you apply. The latest information on the expenses that most students at this school incur are detailed below.
Tuition and Fees
Here are some numbers that can help you better understand the estimated tuition fees for this university.
For the students who live in the area, the tuition cost was $6,450, as reported by public county or municipal institutions. Tuition fees were $19,770 for students coming from out of state. If you are an international student at San Diego State University, you should know that the 2025 tuition amounted to $19,770, as well. Full-time students in 2025 were required to pay additional fees in the amount of $2,730.
| Category | Tuition | Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Out-of-State | $19,770 | $2,730 | $22,500 |
| In-State | $6,450 | $2,730 | $9,180 |
Books and Supplies
Another important financial factor to consider is the approximate price of books and supplies for a college or university. The estimated cost of books and supplies for full-time students of this school is $970.
Boarding
When choosing a college, you should factor in the price of a dorm room and meals at the school cafeteria. How much do room and board fees average around at schools?
In 2025, room and board cost at San Diego State University amounted to $18,453 a year. If you only wanted a room on the campus, it cost $10,605 for the 2025 academic year.
| Expense Category | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $ 6,450 |
| Room and Board | $ 18,453 |
| Book and Supplies | $ 970 |
| Total Expense | $ 25,873 |
Financial Aid
Getting some financial support in forms of grants, loans, scholarships or work-study programs can be crucial for finishing your studies. If you wish to find out more about need-based and non-need-based aid at San Diego State University, here are some recent data you should consider.
The most recent figures show that financial help was given to 2,672 freshmen. The average financial aid package awarded to students amounted to $18,068.
Need-based
Need-based financial aid is exactly what it sounds like — it’s awarded based on the determined financial need.
There were 16,951 students who received need-based financial aid of any kind. Need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid at San Diego State University is available to international students. The total number of students (including freshmen) who were determined to have financial need was estimated to be 18,428. The amount of federal need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the students at this institution added up to $79,638,015, and state $83,152,781.
$2,358
Average Amount of Aid Received
Non-Need Based
Non-need-based financial aid is any type of financial aid provided to a student who does not meet the criteria for need-based aid. Non-need-based student aid typicaly comes in a form of Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans, Parent PLUS Loans, and the Teacher Education Access for College and Higher Education (TEACH) Grant.
3,478 students, including freshmen, received institutional non-need-based financial aid at this school in 2025. Institutional grants or scholarships that are not based on financial need were given to 746 full-time freshman. The total dollar amount of federal non-need-based scholarships/grants awarded to the studens at this school was $79,638,015 while the state aid is $9,559. The total amount of non-need-based institutional scholarships/grants was $3,404,600. This includes endowment, alumni, other institutional awards, and also external funds awarded by the institution, but doesn't include athletic aid and tuition waivers. $4,270,513 was the amount that the students at this institution got from external sources (like Kiwanis and National Merit).
Majors
Faculty
24:1
Student to Faculty Ratio
Knowing more about a school's faculty can help you gauge the caliber of the education it can provide to you.
In 2025, this ratio at San Diego State University was 24:1. That means that there were 24 times more students than teachers at this school. This school has recently reported to have 2,222 faculty members. This number included 1,041 male and 1,181 female faculty members. The fact that female faculty members outnumber the male ones at this school speaks volumes for gender equality at San Diego State University.
Student Population Diversity Graph
Campus Life
Not everything at San Diego State University is about learning and grades: campus life is an essential part of your educational experience. Find out some details about social life at San Diego State University.
Its campus spans 560 acres.
Student Organizations
Being a member of a student organization will make you connect better with your fellow students and enjoy your college years more.
According to recently gathered data, there are 426 open-membership organizations at San Diego State University. This number includes sororities and fraternities. 11 percent of male and 12 of female students participate in different organizations at San Diego State University. The most popular student organization is Andres Bonifacio Samahan, followed by Social Fraternities/Sororities and Women in Business. Other popular student organizations at this school are American Marketing Assoc and Weber Honors College.
Students who have a talent for music can join the San Diego State University band or chorus. For students with a talent for acting, there is a drama club. You have a passion for media and communication? San Diego State University publishes its own newspaper and has its own radio station.
Student Services
San Diego State University has a number of services important for a comfortable and safe life on campus.
There are phone and alarm devices that can be accessed 24/7 for emergency situations. The dormitory entrances are electronically operated. There is a security patrol that operates around the clock. There is a medical clinic with personal/psychological counseling. In addition, other services like Legal Services, Veteran's Affairs and Women's Center are available to the students of San Diego State University.
All in all, campus life at San Diego State University is rich and vibrant and provides everything most students need.
Career Services
Having career services at a college or university can mean a great deal for your career planning, so find out what you can expect at San Diego State University.
Career Counselling
At San Diego State University, there is both group career counseling for all students and individual career counseling for all students. There are a job bank and job fairs. Job interviews are also available to students through the career center. The school has campus employer recruitment for all the students. This school offers alumni networking opportunities, which could be highly beneficial for your future career.
FAQ
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San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA.
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San Diego State University offers need-based college-administered scholarship and grant aid to international students.
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The most recent data indicate that the acceptance rate for San Diego State University is 35%.
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The most recent reported freshman retention rate for San Diego State University is 91%.
Contact Information
Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved. Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
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Data Source: IPEDS and Peterson's Databases © 2023 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved.
Portions of this content were co-written with OpenAI's GPT-3.5 model.
