San Diego State University

San Diego State University is a public university located in San Diego, California, with an enrollment of approximately 35,377 students. The university admits a selective portion of applicants — its 36.2% acceptance rate means that roughly one in three applicants is offered admission.

In-state tuition is $8,728 per year, while out-of-state students pay $21,328 per year. These figures reflect tuition only and do not include fees, housing, or other living expenses. The average annual net price — the total estimated cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, after grant and scholarship aid is applied — is $15,364. This figure represents an average across all students who receive aid, so individual costs will vary. About 31.7% of students receive Pell Grants, which are awarded to students with demonstrated financial need.

A relatively small share of students borrow to finance their education: 23.3% of all enrolled students take out federal student loans. Among those who completed a credential and had borrowed, the median federal loan debt at graduation was $15,000. Of borrowers who entered repayment, 66.2% were making progress in paying down their balance within three years — meaning their loan balance was decreasing rather than growing or staying flat.

San Diego State has a retention rate of 90.6%, meaning that share of first-year students return for their second year. Its graduation rate is 76.4%. Median earnings stand at $64,909 ten years after enrollment. This figure is measured across all federally-aided students who enrolled, including those who did not complete a degree, so it reflects a broad range of outcomes rather than graduates only.

Among the programs offered, San Diego State includes coursework in urban planning, which may be of interest to adults pursuing careers in city development, land use, and community planning.