San Diego State University (SDSU) Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 01/2025)

San Diego State University is a four-year public research university located in San Diego, California. Degrees offered range from bachelor’s to doctorates. This guide will walk you through the admissions requirements, SDSU tuition, financial aid statistics, acceptance rate, popular majors and more.

Total Cost of Attendance

Founded in 1897, SDSU is known for its diversity and inclusion, serving as a federally designated Hispanic-serving institution, as well as supporting Asian American and Native American Pacific Island communities. The school is well known for its research-oriented education and Division I athletic program. For the 2022-23 academic year, tuition for in-state students was $8,290, with out-of-state students paying $20,170. Additional costs include:

For the 2022-23 academic year, tuition for in-state students was $8,174 with out-of-state students paying $20,054. Additional costs include:

•  On-campus room and board: $21,630

•  On-campus other expenses: $3,244

•  Books and supplies: $908

Total costs, then, are as follows:

•  On campus, in state: $34,072

•  On campus, out of state: $45,952

Recommended: Scholarship Search – College Scholarships Finder Tool

Financial Aid

SDSU is “need-blind” during the admissions process, which means that they don’t consider a student’s ability to pay when making acceptance decisions. This can help applicants in lower- and middle-class families who don’t have the financial resources to pay for college.

During the 2022-23 academic year, 98% of first-time, full-time undergraduates received some sort of financial assistance. More specifically:

•   94% received this funding with the average award being $5,459

•  Federal grants: 24% of students received them with the average being $5,852

•  Pell grants: 24% of students received them with the average being $5,775

•  Other federal grants: 4% of students received them with the average being $500

•  State or local: 40% of students received them with the average being $4,603

•  Institutional: 90% of students received them with the average being $2,035

•  Student loan aid: 30% of students received them with the average being $7,137

•  Federal student loans: 28% of students received them with the average being $5,004

•  Other student loans: 3% of students received them with the average being $21,117

Generally, financial aid is monetary assistance awarded to students based on personal need and merit. Students who qualify for financial aid can use it to pay for college costs like tuition, books, and living expenses.

The federal government is the largest provider of student financial aid. However, aid can also be given by state governments, colleges and universities, private companies, and nonprofits. The different types include:

•  Scholarships: These can be awarded by schools and other organizations based on students’ academic excellence, athletic achievement, community involvement, job experience, field of study, or financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, or nonprofit organizations.

•  Work-study: This federal program provides qualifying students with part-time employment to earn money for expenses while in school.

•  Federal student loans: This is money borrowed directly from the U.S. Department of Education. It comes with fixed interest rates that are typically lower than private loans.

Colleges, universities, and state agencies use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine financial aid eligibility. The FAFSA can be completed online, but note that state, federal, and school deadlines may differ.

You can find other financial aid opportunities on databases such as:

•  US Department of Education – Search for grants from colleges and universities by state

•  College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS) – A global college scholarship application used by select institutions to award financial aid

Recommended: The Differences Between Grants, Scholarships, and Loans

Private Student Loans

At SDSU, 3% of students in 2022-23 received private student loan funding, and the university offers guidance on how to apply for them.

Private loans are funded by private organizations such as banks, online lenders, credit unions, some schools, and state-based or state-affiliated organizations. While Federal student loans have interest rates that are regulated by Congress, private lenders follow a different set of regulations so their qualifications and interest rates can vary widely.

What’s more, private loans have variable or fixed interest rates that may be higher than federal loan interest rates, which are always fixed. Private lenders may (but don’t always) require you to make payments on your loans while you are still in school, compared to federal student loans, which you don’t have to start paying back until after you graduate, leave school, or change your enrollment status to less than half-time.

Private loans don’t have a specific application window and can be applied for on an as-needed basis. However, if you think you may need to take out a private loan, it’s a good idea to submit your FAFSA first to see what federal aid you may qualify for as it generally may have better rates and terms.

If you’ve missed the FAFSA deadline or you’re struggling to pay for school during the year, private loans can potentially help you make your payments. Just keep in mind that you will need enough lead time for your loan to process and for your lender to send money to your school.

Recommended: Guide to Private Student Loans

Projected 4-Year-Degree Price

Based on 2022-23 numbers, four years at SDSU would cost $128,440 for in-state students and $175,960 for out-of-state students. To compare, the average cost for four years at a public university in the U.S. is $111,760.

Here’s some California Student Loan & Scholarship Information for you.

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

The 2023-24 San Diego State University cost of tuition was:

•  $8,290 – in-state tuition and fees

•  $34,072 – total in-state cost of attendance, including on-campus housing

•  $20,170 – out-of-state tuition and fees

•  $45,952 – total out-of-state cost of attendance, including on-campus housing

The average annual in-state cost of attendance at a four-year public university is $28,840, according to CollegeData.com. This makes SDSU about 18% more expensive for in-state students — though that is mostly due to housing costs.

The average cost for out-of-state students at a public university is $46,730. SDSU is slightly less expensive than average for out-of-state students.

Graduate Tuition and Fees

In 2023-24, in-state graduate school tuition and fees were $9,724, and out-of-state were $19,228. To compare, the average graduate student spends $21,730 a year on school.

Campus Housing Expenses

Here are typical housing expenses for the 2023-24 year:

•  On-campus room and board: $21,630

•  On-campus other expenses: $3,244

•  Off-campus food and housing: $17,110

•  Off-campus other expenses: $5,140

The university is affiliated with two off-campus community housing options. Find details here.

San Diego State University Acceptance Rate

In fall 2022, 82,800 people applied to SDSU, with 29,988 accepted. This makes the SDSU acceptance rate 34%.

Admission Requirements

SDSU accepts applications from October 1-December 2 for the following academic year.

Minimum admission requirements include the following:

•  Completing a 15-unit comprehensive pattern of college prep classes (California’s A-G requirements) with C grades or higher

•  Requirements must be met by the end of spring term before enrolling

•  A rigorous curriculum is encouraged: advanced placement, honors, and/or international baccalaureate classes

•  You must choose a major when you apply, and relevant high school courses will be considered during admissions

•  Special consideration is given to students who have overcome obstacles and/or live in SDSU’s local admission area

SAT and ACT Scores

The university has suspended the use of ACT/SAT tests when determining admissions. In the fall of 2022, only 10% of applicants submitted SAT scores, and 4% submitted ACT scores. Here are the 25th and 75th percentile numbers:

For submitted tests, here are the 25th and 75th percentiles:

Popular Majors at SDSU

San Diego State University awarded 8,750 bachelor’s degrees for the 2021-22 academic year in more than two dozen areas of studies. Here are some of the most popular degrees.

1. Business Administration and Management

This popular major prepares undergraduates to coordinate people, funds, materials, and machines to obtain the objectives of businesses and other organizations.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 2,001

2. Psychology

Students who major in psychology can pick from two different bachelor of arts degrees with one having an optional emphasis on industrial and organizational psychology.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 630

3. Criminal Justice/Safety Studies

Students in this program explore the criminal justice system as well as policy issues: organized crime, institutional racism, environmental damage, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 402

4. Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness

Students can select their emphasis, including exercise science generalist, fitness specialist, and pre-physical therapy. The kinesiology portion of the studies focuses on human movement.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 353

5. Biology/Biological Sciences

Undergraduates can choose from biology programs with multiple specialties. Many students select this major at SDSU to prepare for medical school or other programs in the health field.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 276

6. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies

The interdisciplinary studies program at SDSU allows students to choose from three preapproved majors/courses (IS3D) to create a degree plan.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 243

7. Liberal Arts and Sciences

Liberal arts and sciences degrees provide undergraduates with a broad scope of knowledge to prepare them for effective problem solving and communication.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 223

8. Computer Science

Undergraduates learn computer design and applications, how to understand languages and write programs and glean insights into artificial intelligence, systems programming, simulation, and more.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 205

9. Registered Nursing

In April 2022, Nurse Journal named SDSU’s School of Nursing as one of California’s top nursing schools. Nurses are in demand throughout the country in hospitals, homes, public schools, clinics, and more, and the SDSU program helps them prepare.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 195

10. Economics

The university offers four specialties for undergraduates: the regular economics major; an international economics emphasis; a public policy emphasis; and a quantitative analysis specialization.

Undergraduate degrees in 2022-23: 194

Graduation Rate

The graduation rate for students who began their studies in fall 2017 is:

•  6 years: 78%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Graduates of SDSU earn a median salary of $65,000 compared to the average for four-year schools of $68,516.