San Jose State University: the complete school report for parents

What does San Jose State University actually weigh in admissions?

San Jose State University rates 1 of the 18 factors "Very Important": GPA. It does not consider 14 of them at all. Every college reports these weights in section C7 of its Common Data Set; below is San Jose State University's 2025-2026 answer, read from the grid in its own file.

What GPA do admitted students actually have?

55% of enrolled students had a 3.50 GPA or above. The average was 3.5 on a 4 scale, reported for 99.41% of the entering class. This is the school’s own distribution, not an estimate from its admit rate.

Is transferring in easier than applying as a freshman?

San Jose State University admitted 82.9% of 9,242 transfer applicants, against 80.4% of first-year applicants. The two routes are similarly competitive here. The minimum college GPA considered is 2.

When do we apply, and does timing change the odds?

San Jose State University offers neither Early Decision nor Early Action, so there is no early round to strategize about and every applicant is read in one pool.

What does my child need to take in high school?

San Jose State University requires 15 academic units and recommends 17. A college-preparatory program is required. A GED is accepted.

What will San Jose State University actually cost us?

Families pay an average of $13,760 a year at San Jose State University after grants and scholarships. The published price is not what most families pay. The university reports meeting 93% of demonstrated need on average. It also gave 72 merit awards averaging $2,879 to first-years with no demonstrated need.

What families at each income level actually paid:

27% of San Jose State University graduates borrow, leaving with an average of $18,371 in debt, which the federal data puts at about $159 a month in repayment. San Jose State University’s net price calculator gives your own figure.

Does a degree from San Jose State University pay off?

Graduates earn a median $78,988 ten years after entering, and $62,448 at six years. 83% out-earn a typical high school graduate within six years. 74% are actively paying down their loans three years in.

Four-year net cost against that earnings premium:

A scale, not a forecast: it assumes aid and earnings hold steady.

$160,714 to $45,848, depending on the major. Median earnings five years out at San Jose State University:

College Scorecard, by field of study; highest and lowest shown.

Will my child actually graduate?

89% of first-years return for a second year. 68% within six (2019 cohort). The rate holds up across income: 63.1% of Pell-grant recipients graduate within six years against 73.4% of everyone else, a gap of 10.3 points.

How big are the classes?

16% of class sections have fewer than 20 students, while 3% have 100 or more. The student-faculty ratio is 25:1, and 44% of faculty are full-time. Accredited by Western Association of Schools and Colleges Senior Colleges and University Commission.

What is life at San Jose State University like?

29,890 undergraduates, 1.57% of first-years from out of state. 47.04% of freshmen live in university housing, falling to 16.81% across all undergraduates. 49% of students are the first in their family to attend college, and the median family income is $88,589.

What this means for your student

• 55% of enrolled students are at a 3.50 GPA or above, averaging 3.5. Below that line the rest of the application has to carry real weight.
• Do not spend money on test preparation for San Jose State University: scores are not read even if you send them.
• Skip demonstrated-interest tactics here. Visits and emails are not tracked, so save that effort for schools where they count.
• Its highest-earning major returns $160,714 five years out against $45,848 at the other end, a gap wider than the one between most schools.
• See where your student actually stands: calculate their GPA and compare it against the distribution above.

Common questions about San Jose State University

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