Payback
EarningsPlus
Economic score
San Diego State University is a public national university located in San Diego, California. San Diego State University is selective in their admissions.
Return on educational investment at San Diego State University is in the top 25% of all ranked schools. The median student earns $59,027 10 years after enrolling, 46th in California, and in the top 25% nationally. When adjusted for earning differences by major, San Diego State University bachelor students earn 2% less than the national average. San Diego State University is ranked 29th in California.
San Diego State University’s median net annual cost of $13,845 and average years to graduate of 4.6 are reported only at the school level. We assume these same costs and graduation time for all programs.
The top 6 programs at San Diego State University sorted by number of graduates - Business Administration, Psychology, Health & Fitness, Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other, Criminal Justice, Computer Science - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Annual net cost
$13,845
Average years to graduate
4.6
Registered Nursing
Rank: #55
Economic score: 1.06
Mechanical Engineering
Rank: #33
Economic score: 1.12
Civil Engineering
Rank: #31
Economic score: 1.34
Poli Sci/Government
Rank: #46
Economic score: 2.43
Economics
Rank: #120
Economic score: 2.59
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #45
Economic score: 2.76
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Rank: #64
Economic score: 4.28
Biology
Rank: #318
Economic score: 6.68
Education
Rank: #357
Economic score: 7.35
Journalism
Rank: #123
Economic score: 12.28
EarningPlus compares the three-year post graduate earnings to the median earnings of the same graduating class, with the same graduate degree. These 2 metrics, debt-to-earnings and EarningsPlus, are combined into an economic score. The lower the economic score the better.
The most popular 6 graduate programs at San Diego State University - Education, Business Administration, Public Health, Social Work, Student Counseling, Public Administration - are shown below. To see more programs, click on "see additional programs".
Clinical / Counseling Psych
Rank: #4
Economic score: 0.25
Accounting
Rank: #101
Economic score: 0.26
Registered Nursing
Rank: #37
Economic score: 0.27
Communication disorder sciences
Rank: #22
Economic score: 0.49
Psychology
Rank: #18
Economic score: 0.51
Therapeutic professions
Rank: #31
Economic score: 0.58
Comms & Media Studies
Rank: #21
Economic score: 0.62
International Relations
Rank: #15
Economic score: 0.79
Rhetoric & Composition
Rank: #67
Economic score: 7.34
The average full-time graduate completes their degree in 4.6 years. 80% of all students graduate within 8 years including part-time students. The graduation rate at San Diego State University is 13% higher than the state average, and 12% above the average for all national universities in the country.
At San Diego State University, Pell Grant recipients represent 32% of the measured graduating class, 3% lower than the national average of 35%. The average Pell Grant recipient at San Diego State University graduates within 4.6 years.
San Diego State University is in the top 25% of schools for graduating Pell recipients.
We calculate this performance by adjusting the graduation rate of Pell students by their percentage of the student body. This adjustment is made to prevent schools with large numbers of Pell students from underperforming in comparison to schools with few Pell students but high graduation rates.
San Diego State University’s economic mobility score of 29.36 is calculated by adjusting the 1.03 economic score of lower-income students by the 32% pell grant recipients within the student body. San Diego State University’s EMS of 29.36 ranks in the top 25% nationally.false
Economic Mobility
To calculate economic mobility of low-income (household earnings below $30,000) students, we adjust each institution’s economic score by their percentage of Pell Grant students. The logic of this Pell-adjusted calculation is derived from Third Way’s Economic Mobility Index (EMI).
Top 25%
The average Title IV recipient at San Diego State University pays $13,845 a year, $16,395 less than the $30,240 advertised. See below the cost breakdown for students who receive Title IV grants, broken down by income level.
Average net price
The average net price shown by income level for all students that receive Title IV aid. Calculated by deducting the average grant and scholarship aid from tuition, fees, books, and room and board. Limited to first-time, full-time students. Public institution figures are calculated using in-state tuition figures.
Median net price $13,845
Much of the gap between net price and sticker price is filled by institutional and government grants. At San Diego State University, 47% of students receive some grants and scholarships, compared to the national average of 87% for all colleges and universities. The average amount of federal, state, and institutional grants that students receive is shown on the right.
This leaves a total of $13,845 on average to be covered by the student – be it through loans or out of pocket. In total, 19% of students take out loans, federal or private, at an average amount of $6,608. This is 35% less than the national average.
Federal grants
$5,015
Pell grants
$5,184
State grants
$3,328
Institutional grants
$6,557
San Diego State University offers 7 online bachelor programs, all of which are hybrid format. At the master’s level San Diego State University offers 7 programs, all of which are hybrid format. We use the IPEDS July '20 — July '21 Distance Education report to determine which programs are online. EarningsPlus data is provided when available.
Online programs
14
Hybrid programs
14
Percentage of programs online
8%
San Diego State University's selective admissions are indicated by their 38% acceptance rate. In 2021, the school had 67,660 applicants, of which 25,646 were admitted and 5,269 enrolled. San Diego State University doesn't have a rolling admissions policy, which means applications are reviewed after a hard admissions deadline.
Full time
90%
83%
Female
58%
59%
First time
57%
59%
In-state
83%
68%
1st generation
41%
35%
White
34%
52%
Black
4%
14%
Hispanic
34%
15%
Asian
13%
5%
American Indian
N/A
1.6%
Pacific Islander
N/A
0.3%
Other
15%
12%