SJSU: A Parent's Guide to Admissions, Cost & Outcomes
Officially San Jose State University · San Jose, California · Public · Open access · CDS 2025-2026
Admission at a glance
Common Data Set 2025-2026
- Test-blind
- 37,124
- Applicants
- 29,845
- Admitted80%
- 4,943
- Enrolled
- 17%
- Yield rate
Selectivity
Open access80% admittedRanked #137 (tie) in National Universities; Business Programs #149 (tie), Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #15 (tie), Computer Science #110 (tie), Nursing #115 (tie)U.S. News & World Report, Best Colleges 2027
Admission figures come from the 2025-2026 Common Data Set published by San Jose State University (see the source), read on 2026-09-20. The admission-factor grid was re-read from that file to confirm each weighting.
Is SJSU a reach, target or safety for your student?
Enter a GPA and course load and the calculator places SJSU against it in about a minute. No account needed.
SJSU is a public university in San Jose, California that admits about 80% of applicants, making it a open access school. The average family pays about $13,760 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 Communication and Media Studies, its largest undergraduate programs by number of graduates. About 68% of students graduate within six years. Its most recent Clery Act report shows roughly 2.7 criminal offenses per 1,000 students.
SJSU is a public institution located in San Jose, California. For the most recent reporting cycle, SJSU admits the majority of qualified applicants, with an overall admission rate of 80%. Admitted students typically post a median SAT around 1160. The average net price after grants and scholarships is $13,760 per year, which is the figure most families actually pay rather than the published sticker price.
What GPA does my child need for SJSU?
55% of enrolled students at SJSU had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.5, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
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What does SJSU weight in admissions?
SJSU reports these factor weights in its Common Data Set (2025-2026). What the weights mean
Very Important
1- Academic GPA
Important
2- Geographical residence
- State residency
Considered
1- First generation status
Not Considered
14- Rigor of secondary school record
- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Application essay
- Recommendations
- Interview
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- Alumni/ae relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
- Level of applicant's interest
SAT and ACT scores SJSU typically admits
Many applicants here submit scores; even slightly below the average can be competitive when combined with a strong GPA and curriculum.
| 25th percentile | 1010 |
| 50th percentile | 1160 |
| 75th percentile | 1270 |
| % submitting SAT | 9% |
| 25th percentile | 17 |
| 50th percentile | 23 |
| 75th percentile | 27 |
| % submitting ACT | 1% |
- • Test-blind: SJSU does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if submitted.
- • CSU campus: SAT/ACT not used for admission; may be sent after admission for course placement.
- • Checked for Fall 2027 applicants on SJSU's admissions site. Policies change; confirm before you apply.
How much does SJSU actually cost?
Published tuition is $8,410 for in-state students and $21,010 for out-of-state, before grants and scholarships. Room and board adds roughly $20,971 annually. After need-based and merit aid, the average family pays a net price of $13,760 per year, and that is the number that actually matters for budgeting. Roughly 35% of students receive Pell Grants.
| In-state tuition | — |
| Room and board | — |
| Average net price (after aid) | $13,760 |
| Share of financial need metaverage, for students with need | 93% |
| Average need-based grant | $11,159 |
| Average merit award, no financial need72 first-year students received one | $2,879 |
| Graduates who borrowed | 27% |
| Average debt at graduationamong those who borrowed | $18,371 |
| Financial aid forms | FAFSA only (no CSS Profile)College Board 2026-27 list |
| Application fee | $70 (waivers available) |
Application deadlines and early decision data for SJSU
| Regular deadline | 11/30 |
| Notification date | 15-Feb |
| Reply deadline | 1-May |
| Rolling admissions | Yes |
Will my child graduate from SJSU?
These predict outcomes at SJSU better than its acceptance rate does. How to read retention and graduation rates
Most popular majors at SJSU
The most popular undergraduate programs at SJSU, measured by the number of students who actually graduate each year, are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Communication and Media Studies. Across all programs, SJSU confers roughly 3,871 bachelor's degrees a year. Graduates of its Business Administration, Management and Operations program report a median income of about $82,407 five years after entering college. What these figures mean
| Major | Graduates / year | Median earnings (5 yrs out) |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 1,710 | $82,407 |
| Psychology, General | 582 | $65,246 |
| Communication and Media Studies | 309 | $67,114 |
| Computer Science | 288 | $160,714 |
| Public Health | 249 | n/a |
| Computer Engineering | 248 | $143,080 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 248 | $69,505 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 237 | $71,738 |
Is SJSU safe? Campus crime & safety
In its most recent Clery Act report (2024), SJSU disclosed 75 total criminal offenses across its campus and surrounding public property, about 2.7 per 1,000 students. That figure includes 14 violent offenses and 9 reported sexual assaults or VAWA offenses. Why per-1,000 rates, not counts
What is campus life like at SJSU?
About 17% of undergraduates at SJSU live in campus housing, so a meaningful share of students commute or live off campus. 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 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
- California State University-Fresno95% acceptance
Next steps for SJSU
Common questions parents ask about SJSU
What GPA do I need for SJSU?
55% of enrolled students at SJSU had a high school GPA of 3.50 or above, and the average was 3.5, according to its 2025-2026 Common Data Set.
What SAT or ACT score does SJSU typically admit?
SJSU 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 SJSU actually cost after financial aid?
The average net price at SJSU after grants and scholarships is $13,760 per year, against a published in-state tuition of $8,410 and $21,010 out of state. Budget against the net figure.
Is SJSU realistic for my child?
SJSU admits 80% of applicants, so the transcript and course rigour carry the decision, with no published score band to place against. Then check the $13,760 average net price against what your family can carry.
What is the acceptance rate at SJSU?
SJSU accepts about 80% of applicants out of roughly 37,124 who apply each year. It admits the majority of qualified applicants.
Is SJSU test-optional?
SJSU is test-blind for Fall 2027 applicants: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions, even if you submit them.
What is the graduation rate at SJSU?
About 68% of students at SJSU graduate within six years. 89% of freshmen return for sophomore year. Graduation rate predicts real outcomes better than acceptance rate.
What does SJSU look for in applicants?
SJSU rates GPA as "very important" in its Common Data Set. These are the factors the admissions committee weighs most heavily when reviewing an application.
Is SJSU a public or private school, and where is it located?
SJSU is a public institution located in San Jose, California.
What are the most popular majors at SJSU?
The largest undergraduate majors at SJSU by annual graduates are Business Administration, Management and Operations, Psychology, General and Communication and Media Studies. The school awards about 3,871 bachelor's degrees a year in total. These figures come from federal IPEDS completion data.
Is SJSU safe? What is its campus crime rate?
SJSU reported 75 total criminal offenses in its most recent Clery Act disclosure (2024), roughly 2.7 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 SJSU?
At SJSU, 17% of undergraduates live on campus, according to its most recent Common Data Set.
Sources: the 2025-2026 Common Data Set submitted by San Jose State University, the College Scorecard and IPEDS, and Clery Act disclosures. What each source covers