San Diego State University is a public university in Southern California, established in 1897. The university has enrolled 35,723 students in 2022 across undergraduate and graduate levels. Currently, students are offered with 97 bachelor’s degrees, 84 master’s degrees, 23 doctoral degrees and 82 certificate programs at San Diego State University.
Admission to San Diego State University is quite selective with an acceptance rate of 38%. For admission to SDSU, international students require a minimum GPA of 3.0 (83-86%). The university expects a TOEFL iBT score of 80 or equivalent from international students as a proof of proficiency in English.
Check Out: San Diego State University (Spanish)
Tuition fees for undergraduate programs is 20,054 USD (16.45 lakhs INR). Basic tuition fees for postgraduate programs at San Diego State University start at 9,608 USD (7.88 lakhs INR). In addition to this, students are required to pay 396 USD per unit (32,490 INR) for postgraduate programs. SDSU graduates demonstrate an excellent return on investment with reported average annual salary of 79,000 USD (64.81 lakhs INR).
San Diego State University Ranking
San Diego State University ranks among the top 150 Universities in the US as per US news and world report. The rankings of SDSU according to various ranking agencies are listed below:
| Ranking Agency | 2023 Rank | 2022 Rank | 2021 Rank | 2020 Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS World University Rankings | #1001-1200 | #1001-1200 | #801-1000 | #801-1000 |
| THE World University Rankings | #601-800 | #601-800 | #601-800 | #501-600 |
| ARWU Rankings | - | #501-600 | #501-600 | #401-500 |
| CWUR | #578 | #560 | #526 | #524 |
A few comparisons between some of the top universities in the world and San Diego State University is provided below:
San Diego State University Programs
San Diego State University offers bachelor’s degrees in 97 areas, master’s degrees in 84 fields, 23 doctoral degrees and 82 certificate courses through 8 colleges. The university offers global learning experiences including international events on campus, global internship, studying abroad and research, a COIL project, or an international project in the San Diego local community.
San Diego State University offers multiple academic support systems. These are offered in the form of Writing Center, Math and Stats Learning Center, Supplemental instruction, and one-on-one meetings with academic advisors.
San Diego State University Campus
San Diego State University has over 300 student organizations catering to a large array of hobbies and interests. In addition to this, there are 19 NCAA Division I teams and 47 fraternities and sororities for Greek Life.
San Diego State University Student Life
- San Diego State University holds multiple artistic events around the year such as plays, musicals, films, dance, and music. These events are usually organized by the School of Television, Theater and Films, and School of Music and Dance.
- The university is home to one of the premier collegiate arenas, Viejas Arena. The arena is home of Aztec basketball and has hosted entertainers like Rihanna and Bon Jovi.
- The Cal Coast Credit Union Open Air Theater at the center of the University has hosted housefull events for artists like Adele and others.
- Students can use the San Diego trolley to travel to nearby places like SDCCU Stadium, Old Town, and Fashion Valley mall at affordable rates.
San Diego State University Accommodations
San Diego State University offers 9 different options for on-campus accommodation. Approximately 4,000 of the freshmen live on campus. There are apartment-style and suite-style accommodations having 3-room sharing options.
On-Campus Accommodation
The first-year on campus housing licence agreement rates and total cost are provided in the following table:
| Room Type | Flex 5 | Flex 7 | Meals plus |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triple/Quad | 18,469 | 19,189 | 19,741 |
| Double | 20,357 | 21,077 | 21,629 |
| Single | 22,509 | 23,229 | 23,781 |
| Total Cost per Academic Year | 5,808 | 6,528 | 7,080 |
Off-Campus Accommodation
California is the third most expensive state in the US for international students. Some of the rentals available and their average costs are as follows:
| Rental Type | Rent Per Month (USD) | Rent Per Month (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Landings at 237 | 775+ | 63,500 |
| Three Rivers Apartments | 849+ | 69,600 |
| The Landing | 1,199+ | 98,300 |
| Britta Hills | 1,675+ | 1.37 lakhs |
| The Melrose Apartments | 875+ | 71,730 |
The off-campus student residences are accessible to universities as well as local convenience stores, shopping malls, and grocery stores. The housing types include studio apartments, three-bedroom apartments, four-bedroom apartments, shared flats, and condominiums.
Check: Student housing in USA
San Diego State University Admissions
San Diego State University follows a selective admission procedure with an acceptance rate of only 37% (2021). The University accepts applications from students all around the world given they fulfill the minimum requirements. The process and requirements are discussed below:
San Diego State University Graduate Admissions
Application Portal: University Application Portal
| Application Fee | 70 USD (5,750 INR) |
| Academic Requirement | Bachelor’s degree |
| GPA | 3.0 GPA or 83-86% |
| English Language Proficiency Scores | TOEFL-iBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 58 |
| Standardized Test Scores | GMAT: 587 or above GRE: 300 |
| LORs | 3 LOR |
| CV or Resume | Updated resume |
| Work Experience | Professional work experience |
| Additional Requirements | Interviews |
San Diego State University Undergraduate Admissions
Application Portal: Online Application
| Application Fee | 70 USD (5,750 INR) |
| Academic Requirement | High school certificate |
| English Language Proficiency Scores | TOEFL-iBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 58 |
| Additional Requirements | SOP | LORs |
San Diego State University Cost of Attendance
The approximate undergraduate cost of attendance at SDSU is 42,000 to 45,000 USD. A further breakdown of costs are given in the table below
| Item | On-campus Costs (USD) | Off-campus Costs (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic Tuition and fees | 8,174 | 8,174 |
| Nonresident tuition | 11,880 | 11,880 |
| Health insurance | 1,703 | 1,703 |
| Books, Supplies | 1,146 | 1,146 |
| Food,Housing | 19,714 | 16,144 |
| Transportation | 1,170 | 1,176 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,906 | 2,662 |
| Total | 45,693 | 42,885 |
Graduate cost of attendance at San Diego State University is tabulated below:
| Item | On-campus Costs (USD) | Off-campus Costs (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| Basic tuition and fees | 9,608 | 9,608 |
| Health insurance | 1,703 | 1,703 |
| Books and supplies | 1,146 | 1,146 |
| Food and housing | 19,714 | 16,144 |
| Transportation | 1,170 | 1,176 |
| Miscellaneous | 1,906 | 2,662 |
| Total | 34,621 | 31,393 |
Note: International students should add $396 per unit to calculate non-resident tuition fees for graduate programs.
Check: Cost of living in USA for international students
San Diego State University Scholarships
San Diego State University offers a limited number of scholarship opportunities to support students studying in the U.S. These scholarships are listed in the table below:
| Name of Scholarship | Award Value |
|---|---|
| SDSU Advantage Scholarship Program | Varies |
| Presidential Scholars program | Up to $40,000 |
| Weber Honors College | $1,000 - $7,500 |
Check: External scholarships to study in USA
San Diego State University Placements
San Diego State University offers students an array of career-related services and resources. Student clubs and organizations of the university host events including mini career fairs, panels and networking tailored for specific majors, colleges or areas of the marketplace. On average, San Diego State University graduates earn an annual salary of 79,000 USD per annum (64.81 lakhs INR). Some of the popular professions pursued by San Diego State University graduates and their respective average salaries are as follows:
| Profession | Average Annual Salary (USD) | Equivalent Salary for Indians (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| Software Engineer | 94,500 | 77.52 lakhs |
| Senior Software Engineer | 123,300 | 1.01 crore |
| Mechanical Engineer | 80,000 | 65.63 lakhs |
| Civil Engineer | 83,100 | 68.17 lakhs |
| Project Manager | 78,100 | 64.07 lakhs |
| Operations Manager | 68,700 | 56.36 lakhs |
| Marketing Manager | 83,200 | 68.25 lakhs |
Some of the career services offered to SDSU students are as follows:
- Career Counseling
- Resources on job search, internships and other work experience
- Career events and workshops
- Community engagement
- Career fairs and On-campus interviews
94% San Diego State University MBA students received full-time job offers after graduation. Top employers who hired MBA graduates from San Diego State University include Hyundai, HP, Bank of America, Paypal, Pfizer etc.
San Diego State University Alumni
San Diego State University alumni at San Diego enjoys the following benefits:
- Discounts at alumni events
- Monthly prize drawing
- Alumni insurance services at discounted rates
- Discount on rental rates
- Avail career services
- A lifetime opportunity to keep in touch with other alumni members
- Shopping discounts at various sites like SDSU bookstore, university recreation center, CSU Library, Woodstock’s pizza, bicycle center, etc.
San Diego State University Notable Alumni
| Alumni | Designation/ Achievement |
|---|---|
| Gregory Peck | American actor |
| Cleavon Little | American stage, film, and television actor |
| Julie Kavner | American actress |
| Kawhi Anthony Leonard | Professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the NBA |
| James Sinegal | Retired American Billionaire Businessman |
San Diego State University has grown to become a leading public research university in the USA. It is recognised for its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion. The faculty at SDSU is fully committed to excellent teaching and meaningful research. The university continues to forge ahead to deliver academic excellence, student success and groundbreaking research.
FAQs
Ques. Which San Diego State University programs are popular?
Ans. San Diego State University offers 96 Bachelor's, 80 Master's, and 21 Doctoral programs taught through eight colleges. The most popular programs at the university are Science and Business programs.
Ques. What are the average GPA and Standardized exams scores required for San Diego State University?
Ans. The university has many applicants with good grades. Average GPA of students that are admitted range from 3.6 to 4.0 scale and the average SAT score is 1200 and an ACT score is 27 at San Diego State University.
Ques. What are the English proficiency scores required by San Diego State University?
Ans. For admission to San Diego State University, candidates need to submit a TOEFL score of 80. Equivalent PTE and IELTS scores are also accepted.
Ques. What is the acceptance rate of San Diego State University?
Ans. San Diego State University reportedly has an acceptance rate of 38%. This demonstrates the competitive admission policy of the university.
Ques. How many students are enrolled in San Diego State University?
Ans. It is home to around 25,610 students in total.
San Diego State University Program Fees & Deadlines
| Program | Important Dates | Fees | Exams Score |
|---|---|---|---|
M.S Computer Science 2 years | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Feb 2025) Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake (31st Aug 2025) | USD 10,252 /Yr |
|
M.S Information Systems 1 year | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Feb 2025) | USD 10,252 /Yr |
|
M.B.A 21 months | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Apr 2025) | USD 10,252 /Yr |
|
Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Feb 2025) Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake (31st Aug 2025) | USD 10,252 /Yr |
| |
M.Sc Electrical Engineering 2 years | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Feb 2025) Application Deadline For Spring 2025 Intake (31st Aug 2025) | USD 10,252 /Yr |
|
M.S Computational Science 2 years | Application Deadline For 2025 Intake (1st Feb 2025) | USD 10,252 /Yr |
|
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What students say about San Diego State University
Likes
- They provide a variety of internships per college, and the stipend obviously depends on what you are doing and for how long. For example, my friend earned a summer internship and was actually able to get a $5000 stipend.
- The process is pretty easy and straightforward, and the financial aid office at my university is always more than happy to help with it.
- There was strong collaboration with the University of Washington Seattle and MIT in our MEMS lab, which gave us the chance to form strong research opportunities.
- The area immediately surrounding the college is a little rough, so if you can commute, that would be even better.
- Tuition and fees cover an enormous amount of things, including basic health coverage, which is amazing because many universities dont offer that for you.
- The faculty at my university is great. They love to connect with students and always look out for what is best for us.
- I gained a bunch of research opportunities, networked with academic professionals via conferences, had very supportive professors, and had ample on-campus job opportunities to help with sustenance.
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San Diego State University comparison
| University Name | San Diego State University | San Jose State University | San Francisco State University | University of San Diego | Santa Clara University | University of Arizona |
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| Collegedunia Score | 4.2 Out of 10 | 4.7 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 | 4.1 Out of 10 | 5.3 Out of 10 |
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| Acceptance Rate | 34.6 % | 55.2 % | 68.2 % | 51.4 % | 48.3 % | 78.6 % |
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| - | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison | Read Full Comparison |
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Overall 1001 out of 1503 in Global Ranking
Nearest Ranked Colleges
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San Diego State University Student Profiles
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San Diego State University Reviews
Most Popular Tags
6 Reviews Found
- Likes:
- College in proximity with lots of startups and industries in the field of biomedical engineering, affordable fees.,
- Lots of research opportunities across different fields, very experienced professors to provide guidance in research fields, very active on-campus groups and activities, great location, affordable cost of attendance
- Dislikes:
- Very few on-campus opportunities to network with industry partners, lesser academic scholarship opportunities available (at least in engineering fields) as compared to other California universities, no independent PhD degree provided by SDSU
Overview
It was a very learning experience for me. I gained a bunch of research opportunities, network with academic professionals via conferences, very supportive professors, ample on-campus job opportunities to help with sustenance.
Fees
Enrollment fees per semester - ~$2800/sem. Total 4 semesters for degree completion. Living expenses are additional.
Overview
San Diego had always been a dream city for me. It's metropolitan but also has chill areas like the beach. It's a state school so as a California resident it was an affordable choice. The college campus is a moderate size and has beautiful architecture. The area the college is in feels like it's own community.
Fees
I pay around $6000 a year for my program because it is online. On-campus tuition is closer to $8000 I believe. There are scholarships available for everyone. You pay for each semester. I am paying out of pocket with no scholarships or loans so I don't know much about those. You can pay easily online or in person
Overview
I decided to opt for this particular college because they were giving me the most financial assistance compared to some of the other universities that I got into. It's also a great school in a great location.
Fees
So tuition and fees cover an enormous amount of things which also include basic health coverage which is amazing because a lot of universities don't offer that for you. And to have real doctors on campus is such a reassurance.
Overview
Great professors and advisors. I had a previous education experience with them and know their value. I also love that service Learning is a major part of the program. They encourage us to be politically active in our practice.
Fees
Tuition is based on block units. 1-6 units cost a certain amount and 7+ is another amount. You also pay for a student representative fee. If you decide to go on a tuition payment plan there is an extra $60 added. Student ID and parking cost money.
Overview
Because of the coursework and location. The college also had a limited strength in CS so that the professor can focus on individuals
Fees
18K per year. In one sem we have to take 9 units
San Diego State University Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulbright-Nehru Masters Fellowships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| The Kay-Grant Group Scholarship | Scholarship per student$1,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Robert S. McNamara Fellowship Program | Scholarship per student$44,888 | Level Of StudyDoctorate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Paul Foundation scholarships | Scholarship per student$20,174 | Level Of StudyDiploma | TypeMerit-Based | |
| STEM Scholarship for young women | Scholarship per student$15,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeNeed-Based | |
| Liberty University Scholarships: | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeCollege-Specific |
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San Diego State University Admissions
Application Portal: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply
Fall 2024 Deadlines
Important Date: November30 (Application deadline)
San Diego State University Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Language Proficiency | ||||
| PTE | - | 58 | - | - |
| TOEFL | - | 80 | - | - |
| IELTS | - | 6.5 | - | - |
| Graduate | ||||
| GRE | - | 300 | - | - |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| Verbal | - | 150 | - | - |
| Quantitative | - | 150 | - | - |
| GMAT | 592 | - | - | - |
| Undergraduate | ||||
| SAT | 1190 | 1090 | 1290 | 79 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 595 | 550 | 640 | - |
| Mathematics | 595 | 540 | 650 | - |
| ACT | 26 | 23 | 28 | 52 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| English | 25 | 22 | 28 | - |
| Mathematics | 25 | 22 | 28 | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
San Diego State University Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1858 | - | - | - |
San Diego State University Campus Location
Nearby This Campus
- Book Store
- Restaurant
- Shopping Mall
- Super Market
- Airport
Book Store
Shopping Mall
Airport
Restaurant
Super Market
● All distance are measured radially. Actual distance may vary
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Comments
3 Comments
Can we waive the application fee? What about the scholarships? Can we get a whole ride or cover 80% of the costs? Do ECAs play a supporting role in scholarship?
SDSU offers a variety of scholarships, ranging from need-based to merit-based, and some that cover full tuition or a significant portion of fees. However, check the available scholarships, benefits, and eligibility for the SDSU Scholarships.
What will be the university fee structure?
The university fee structure for San Diego State University (SDSU) can vary depending on the program. However, you can explore the SDSU courses to learn more about the curriculum, fees, and other details.
San Diego State University offers a limted number of scholarships. You can check the available scholarships, the requirements, application procedure, etc. for the respective scholarship programs on the Financial Aids and Scholarships page of the university’s website.