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Public, 4-Year
San Diego, CA

San Diego State University

Explore one of the most distinguished institutions in CA. Your pathway to a brighter future begins here.

Annual Tuition

$8,290

Average Sticker Price

Admission Rate

34.4%

Selectivity Level

Graduation Rate

78.1%

Completion Success

Median Earnings

$64,909

10y Career Outlook

About Institution

San Diego State University is a distinguished Public, 4-Year institution located in San Diego, CA. With a competitive tuition profile of $8,290, it remains an attractive choice for ambitious students. A strong graduation rate of 78.1% underscores its academic rigor and effective student support systems.

Investment Return

Estimated College ROI Analysis

Total 4-Year Cost

$33,160

Based on sticker tuition

Estimated Payback

0.9 yrs

Time to recoup investment

Annual Earnings Boost

+$34,909

vs. $30k HS diploma baseline

10-Year Net Gain

+$315,930

Cumulative earnings advantage minus total college cost

20-Year Net Gain

+$665,020

Long-term projected return on your education investment

ROI estimates use the BLS national median of $30,000/yr for high school diploma holders as a baseline. Actual results vary based on major, career path, location, and individual circumstances. Median graduate debt at San Diego State University is $15,000.

Student Community

Gender Balance

Women
Men
56.4%
43.6%
FemininityMasculinity

Ethnic Diversity

Hispanic
36.2%
White
34.3%
Asian
13.4%
Two or more
7.0%
Black
3.7%
Unknown
2.9%
International
2.1%
Native Hawaiian / Pacific Islander
0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native
0.2%

Security Audit

Safety Rating: 3-Year Aggregate

Incidents

51

Burglary

18

Theft

16

Assault

4

Robbery

1

Rape

11

Arson

1

Murder

0

Financial Outlook

Total Sticker Price

$8,290

Estimated cost before aid.

Net Price By Income

$0 - $30k$9,655
$30k - $48k$10,241
$48k - $75k$14,205
$75k+$18,176

Debt & Financial Aid

Median Debt (grads)$15,000
Pell Grant Recipients31.4%
Using Federal Loans23.1%
Historical 3yr Loan Repayment66.2%

Repayment measured in 2016–17; this federal measure was discontinued.

Grant Aid (IPEDS 2021)

Avg. Total Grant Aid$9,830
Pell Grant Recipients32.0%

* Most students receive significant grants and scholarships, reducing the actual cost. Grant data from IPEDS Student Financial Aid survey.

Quick Overview

Faculty Ratio

N/A

Retention

90.3%

Success

78.1%

In-State Cost

$8,290

Age 25+ Students

11.8%

Carnegie Class

R2: Doctoral — High Research

Working at 6yr

7,394 students

Security Benchmark

Campus vs. City Comparison (Per 100k)

Violent Offenses

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
San Diego (City-wide)0.0

Property Crimes

PER 100K
On-Campus0.0
San Diego (City-wide)0.0

Stats sourced from institutional reports and municipal data. These rates provide a standardized baseline for comparing safety across different environments.