San Diego State University
San Diego, California
PublicBachelor's to graduateFounded 1897Large citySEVP certified
About
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1897, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system. SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego; its academic roots were established as a normal school in University Heights, then known as the San Diego Normal School. In the fall of 2025, the university enrolled a record 41,184 students. SDSU comprises eight colleges and offers over 200 degree programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels. It is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). The university is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity".
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Cost per year
- Tuition and fees (out of state)
- US$25,500
- Estimated total for international students
- US$42,365
- Tuition and fees (in state, for comparison)
- US$9,180
- Total cost for in-state students
- US$26,045
International students at public universities pay the out-of-state rate. The estimated total adds housing, food and books to that tuition; it is derived from Scorecard figures, so check the university's own cost page.
Students
- Undergraduates
- 35,377
- Graduate students
- 5,355
- International undergraduates
- 2%
- Students per teacher
- 27 to 1
Admissions
- Admission rate
- 36%
Test scores show the middle 50% of admitted students.
Outcomes
- Graduation rate
- 78%
- Median earnings 10 years after starting
- US$73,494
Earnings are for students who received US federal aid, so they may not reflect international graduates.
Programmes (243)
Bachelor's degrees81 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsAnthropologyApplied MathematicsArea StudiesAstronomy and AstrophysicsBiology, GeneralBiomedical/Medical EngineeringBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsChemistryCivil EngineeringClassics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCommunication and Media StudiesComputer EngineeringComputer ScienceComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralConstruction Engineering Technology/TechnicianConstruction ManagementCriminal Justice and CorrectionsDanceDesign and Applied ArtsDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftEast Asian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsEconomicsElectrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralEnvironmental/Environmental Health EngineeringEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesFinance and Financial Management ServicesFine and Studio ArtsGeography and CartographyGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesGermanic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsGerontologyHealth Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, GeneralHistoryHospitality Administration/ManagementInformation Science/StudiesInternational BusinessInternational Relations and National Security StudiesInternational/Globalization StudiesJournalismLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesLinguistics and AnthropologyMarketingMathematicsMechanical EngineeringMicrobiological Sciences and ImmunologyMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMusicNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchNutrition SciencesParks, Recreation, and Leisure StudiesPhilosophyPhysical Sciences, GeneralPhysicsPolitical Science and GovernmentPsychology, GeneralPublic AdministrationPublic HealthPublic Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationRadio, Television, and Digital CommunicationReal EstateRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingReligion/Religious StudiesRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesRomance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsSlavic, Baltic and Albanian Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsSocial Sciences, GeneralSocial WorkSociologySpecial Education and TeachingSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessStatisticsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasUrban Studies/Affairs
Master's degrees85 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space EngineeringAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsAnthropologyApplied MathematicsArea StudiesAstronomy and AstrophysicsBilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural EducationBiochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular BiologyBiology, GeneralBiomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational BiologyBiomedical/Medical EngineeringBusiness Administration, Management and OperationsBusiness, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, OtherChemistryCity/Urban, Community, and Regional PlanningCivil EngineeringClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesCommunication and Media StudiesComputational ScienceComputer ScienceComputer and Information Sciences, GeneralComputer/Information Technology Administration and ManagementCriminal Justice and CorrectionsCriminologyDietetics and Clinical Nutrition ServicesDrama/Theatre Arts and StagecraftEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyEconomicsEducation, GeneralEducation, OtherEducational Administration and SupervisionEducational/Instructional Media DesignElectrical, Electronics, and Communications EngineeringEnglish Language and Literature, GeneralEnvironmental/Environmental Health EngineeringEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesFilm/Video and Photographic ArtsFinance and Financial Management ServicesFine and Studio ArtsGeography and CartographyGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesGerontologyHistoryHospitality Administration/ManagementInternational BusinessInternational Relations and National Security StudiesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesManagement Sciences and Quantitative MethodsManufacturing EngineeringMarketingMathematicsMathematics and Computer ScienceMechanical EngineeringMental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsMicrobiological Sciences and ImmunologyMulti/Interdisciplinary Studies, OtherMusicNutrition SciencesPhilosophyPhysicsPhysiology, Pathology and Related SciencesPolitical Science and GovernmentPsychology, GeneralPublic AdministrationPublic Administration and Social Service Professions, OtherPublic HealthQuality Control and Safety Technologies/TechniciansRadio, Television, and Digital CommunicationRegistered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesRomance Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsSocial WorkSociologySpecial Education and TeachingSports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/FitnessStatisticsStudent Counseling and Personnel ServicesTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject AreasVisual and Performing Arts, GeneralZoology/Animal Biology
Doctoral degrees20 subjects
Biology, GeneralBiomedical/Medical EngineeringChemistryCivil EngineeringClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesComputational ScienceComputer EngineeringCurriculum and InstructionEcology, Evolution, Systematics, and Population BiologyEducation, GeneralEducational Administration and SupervisionEngineering, OtherGeography and CartographyGeological and Earth Sciences/GeosciencesMathematics and Computer SciencePublic HealthRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsSocial Sciences, OtherTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
Professional degrees (MD, JD and similar)2 subjects
Communication Disorders Sciences and ServicesRehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions
Undergraduate certificates13 subjects
Area, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, OtherArts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementCriminal Justice and CorrectionsFinance and Financial Management ServicesGeography and CartographyLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesLinguistics and AnthropologyLiteratureMiddle/Near Eastern and Semitic Languages, Literatures, and LinguisticsPublic Policy AnalysisPublishingRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesTeaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
Post-baccalaureate certificates2 subjects
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsTeaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
Graduate certificates40 subjects
Accounting and Related ServicesAllied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment ProfessionsArea, Ethnic, Cultural, Gender, and Group Studies, OtherArts, Entertainment, and Media ManagementBilingual, Multilingual, and Multicultural EducationBuilding/Construction Finishing, Management, and InspectionClinical, Counseling and Applied PsychologyCommunication Disorders Sciences and ServicesComputational ScienceComputer EngineeringComputer Software and Media ApplicationsCriminal Justice and CorrectionsEducational Administration and SupervisionEducational/Instructional Media DesignEthnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group StudiesFinance and Financial Management ServicesGeography and CartographyHistoryHousing and Human EnvironmentsHuman Development, Family Studies, and Related ServicesHuman Resources Management and ServicesLiberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and HumanitiesLinguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesLinguistics and AnthropologyLiteratureMental and Social Health Services and Allied ProfessionsMusicNatural Resources Conservation and ResearchPharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and AdministrationPolitical Science and GovernmentPublic HealthPublic Policy AnalysisPublic Relations, Advertising, and Applied CommunicationRehabilitation and Therapeutic ProfessionsRhetoric and Composition/Writing StudiesSecurity Science and TechnologySocial WorkSpecial Education and TeachingTeacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and MethodsTeaching English or French as a Second or Foreign Language
Subjects and degree levels reported to the US Department of Education. See the university's course catalogue for course-by-course details.