San Diego State University: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
San Diego, California · Public · Selective · CDS 2025-2026
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San Diego State University is a public university in San Diego, California that admits about 37% of applicants, making it a selective school. The average family pays about $15,364 a year after financial aid, which matters more than the published sticker price. It is best known for Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Criminal Justice and Corrections, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 78% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 1.9 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California with a selective admissions profile. For the most recent reporting cycle, San Diego State University admits between a quarter and half of applicants, with an overall admission rate of 37%. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $15,364 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for San Diego State University?
65% of enrolled students at San Diego State University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.82, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What does San Diego State University weight in admissions?
San Diego State University reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
- • Rigor of secondary school record
- • Academic GPA
- • Geographical residence
- • State residency
SAT and ACT scores San Diego State University typically admits
Many applicants to schools in this tier submit test scores, though the policy varies by year — check the latest test-optional status before deciding.
- • Test-blind: San Diego State University does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • Policy detail: Not considered
Where admitted students ranked in their high school class
Class rank distribution gives parents a clear sense of how academically dominant a typical admitted student was within their own high school cohort — often a more meaningful signal than absolute GPA.
| Top 10% of class | 25% |
| Top 25% of class | 66% |
| Top 50% of class | 95% |
| % submitting class rank | 29% |
How much does San Diego State University actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,728 for in-state students and $21,328 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $23,030 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $15,364 per year — the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 32% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | $6,838 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $20,968 |
| Room and board | $21,856 |
| Average net price (after aid) | $15,364 |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for San Diego State University
| Regular deadline | 11/30 |
| Notification date | March |
| Reply deadline | 5/1 |
Will my child graduate from San Diego State University?
These predict outcomes at San Diego State University better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at San Diego State University
The most popular undergraduate programs at San Diego State University, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Criminal Justice and Corrections. Across all programs, San Diego State University confers roughly 4,587 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $74,342 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1,875 | $74,342 |
| Psychology, General | 699 | $46,082 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 417 | $55,637 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 406 | $64,740 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | 356 | $47,974 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 290 | $59,719 |
| Biology, General | 285 | $70,169 |
| Computer Science | 259 | $114,373 |
Is San Diego State University safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), San Diego State University disclosed 69 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 1.9 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 25 violent offenses and 5 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at San Diego State University?
About 25% of undergraduates at San Diego State University live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. In Greek life, 11% of men join a fraternity and 12% of women join a sorority. Residential rate and Greek participation shape day-to-day social life and are worth weighing alongside academics and cost.
Other colleges in California parents ask about
- San Jose State University85% acceptance
- San Francisco State University96% acceptance
- California State University-Long Beach46% acceptance
- California State University-Fullerton91% acceptance
- California State University-Northridge93% acceptance
- California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo31% acceptance
- California State Polytechnic University-Pomona75% acceptance
- California State University-Los Angeles91% acceptance
Next steps for San Diego State University
Common questions parents ask about San Diego State University
What GPA do I need for San Diego State University?
65% of enrolled students at San Diego State University had a high school GPA of 3.75 or above, and the average was 3.82, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does San Diego State University typically admit?
San Diego State University is test-blind: SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if you submit them. There is no score range because scores are not read.
How much does San Diego State University actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at San Diego State University after grants and scholarships is $15,364 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,728 and $21,328 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is San Diego State University realistic for my child?
San Diego State University admits 37% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $15,364 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at San Diego State University?
San Diego State University accepts about 37% of applicants out of roughly 95,444 who apply each year. That makes it a selective school.
Is San Diego State University test-optional?
San Diego State University is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at San Diego State University?
About 78% of students at San Diego State University graduate within six years. 91% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does San Diego State University look for in applicants?
San Diego State University rates course rigor and GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is San Diego State University a public or private school, and where is it located?
San Diego State University is a public institution located in San Diego, California.
What are the most popular majors at San Diego State University?
The largest undergraduate majors at San Diego State University by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Criminal Justice and Corrections. The school awards about 4,587 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is San Diego State University safe? What is its campus crime rate?
San Diego State University reported 69 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 1.9 per 1,000 students. Compare the per-1,000 rate rather than the raw total, since larger schools report more incidents.
What is campus life like at San Diego State University?
At San Diego State University, 25% of undergraduates live on campus, 11% of men are in fraternities, 12% of women are in sororities, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by San Diego State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers