San Diego State University (SDSU) Tuition and Fees

By Kelly Boyer Sagert

(Last Updated – 08/2022)

San Diego State University is a four-year public research university located in San Diego, California. Degrees offered range from bachelor’s degrees to doctoral ones. This guide will walk you through the admissions requirements, SDSU tuition, financial aid statistics, SDSU 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 plus an Asian American and Native American Pacific Island-serving one. The school is well known for its research-oriented education and Division I athletic program.

For the 2020-2021 academic year, tuition for in-state students was $7,720 with out-of-state students paying $19,600. Additional costs include:

•  On-campus room and board: $18,531

•  On-campus other expenses: $2,910

•  Off-campus room and board: $13,860

•  Off-campus other expenses: $3,515

•  Books and supplies: $1,079

Total costs, then, are as follows:

•  On campus, in state: $30,240

•  On campus, out of state: $42,120

•  Off campus, in state: $26,174

•  Off campus, out of state: $38,054

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 2019-2020 academic year, 61% of first-time, full-time undergraduates received some sort of financial assistance. More specifically:

•  Grants or scholarship aid: 47% received this funding with the average award being $9,431

•  Federal grants: 26% of students received them with the average being $5,671

•  Pell grants: 26% of students received them with the average being $5,481

•  Other federal grants: 5% of students received them with the average being $1,178

•  State or local: 41% of students received them with the average being $2,744

•  Institutional: 25% of students received them with the average being $7,471

•  Student loan aid: 29% of students received them with the average being $7,017

•  Federal student loans: 27% of students received them with the average being $5,152

•  Other student loans: 3% of students received them with the average being $21,405

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

Recommended: Scholarship Search – College Scholarships Finder Tool

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, and financial need.

•  Grants: Generally based on financial need, these can come from federal, state, private, and non-profit 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 and 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 2019-2020 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 throughout 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

The 2020-2021 San Diego State University cost for tuition was:

•  In state: $7,720

•  $30,880 in total costs, not accounting for price increases

•  Out of state: $19,600

•  $78,400 in total costs, not accounting for price increases

The average annual costs for a four-year public university is $25,700 on campus and $26,000 off campus. This makes SDSU about 70% less expensive for in-state students and 23.7% less for out of state.

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

Undergraduate Tuition and Fees

For the 2020-2021 academic year, tuition for in-state students was $7,720 with out-of-state students paying $19,600. Additional costs include:

•  On-campus other expenses: $2,910

•  Off-campus other expenses: $3,515

•  Books and supplies: $1,079

Graduate Tuition and Fees

In 2020-2021, in-state San Diego State University tuition was $9,154 and out-of-state tuition was $18,658. In 2019, the average graduate school tuition at a public institution was $12,410. This makes SDSU tuition for in-state students 26.2% lower and out-of-state students 50.4% higher.

Cost per Credit Hour

The university website gives a detailed breakdown of 2022-2023 San Diego State University costs per credit hour. Highlights include:

•  In state, on campus undergraduate: $259.10

•  Out of state, on campus undergraduate: $376.10

•  In state, on campus graduate: $340.15

•  Out of state, on campus graduate: $654.05

•  Off campus undergraduate: $354.75

•  Off campus graduate: $470.45

Campus Housing Expenses

For the 2020-2021 year, here are expenses:

•  On-campus room and board: $18,531

•  On-campus other expenses: $2,910

•  Off-campus room and board: $13,860

•  Off-campus other expenses: $3,515

•  Books and supplies: $1,079

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

At the time of writing, the first community lists these options (although noting that all leases are currently filled):

•  One bedroom/one bathroom; 486 square feet: starting at $1,850

•  Two bedrooms/two bathrooms; 723 square feet: starting at $1,165-$1,730

San Diego State University Acceptance Rate

In fall 2020, 64,784 people applied to SDSU with 23,778 accepted. This makes the SDSU acceptance rate 36.7%.

Admission Requirements

SDSU accepts applications from October 1-December 15 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 through the spring 2023 cycle. In the fall of 2020, 85% of applicants submitted SAT scores, and 36% 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 8,492 bachelor’s degrees for the 2020-2021 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. In 2021, one in every five graduating undergraduates received this degree.

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. In 2021, 7% of graduating undergraduates completed this degree program.

3. 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. In 2021, 4.9% of graduating undergraduates earned this degree.

4. Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies

The interdisciplinary studies program at SDSU allows students to choose from three pre-approved majors/courses (IS3D) to create a degree plan. In 2021, 4.7% of graduating undergraduates completed this educational pathway.

5. 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. In 2021, 4.5% of graduating undergraduates earned this degree.

6. 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. In 2021, 3.4% of undergraduates earned this degree.

7. 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. In 2021, 3.3% of graduating undergraduates earned their degree in biological sciences.

8. 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. These are the degrees chosen by 2.9% of undergrads at IU.

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. In 2021, 2.8% of graduating undergraduates earned a nursing degree.

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. In 2021, 2.6% of graduating undergraduates earned an economics degree.

Graduation Rate

Graduation rates for students earning bachelor degrees are:

•  4 years: 36%

•  6 years: 74%

Post-Graduation Median Earnings

Graduates of SDSU earn a median salary of $59,027 compared to the average, overall, for four year schools of $47,891. This makes the SDSU salary 23.3% higher than average.