San Diego State University (SDSU) : Overview, Courses, Scholarships & Rankings
About San Diego State University
Set on a sunlit hillside with Spanish-style arches and palms, this university balances relaxed SoCal energy with serious academics. It's known for strengths across business, engineering, the sciences, public health, education, and the arts. Classrooms, studios, and research labs sit beside a busy library and a student union that actually gets used. Support feels practical: advising that answers, tutoring that shows up, counseling and cultural centers that make big-campus life feel smaller.
Student life runs wide open, from beach mornings to evening rehearsals, club meetings, and big-time game days. The rec facilities, fields, and pools invite you outside, while concerts, film screenings, and gallery shows keep things lively. Career prep leans on San Diego's industries and nonprofits, with internships, career fairs, and plenty of alumni face time. The city adds coastal living, border-influenced culture, and year-round outdoor options. Traditions, red-and-black spirit, and a reputation for community stick with grads like Tony Gwynn, Kawhi Leonard, and Marshall Faulk.
Key Institutional Details
Contact & Profile
Academic & Institutional
Academic Programs & Fields of Study
San Diego State University (SDSU) offers 133 degree programs across 25 major academic fields, graduating approximately 10,928 students annually. The most popular fields by graduate volume are Business (8 programs, 2,685 graduates), Health (15 programs, 821 graduates), Social Sciences (12 programs, 814 graduates), Education (11 programs, 795 graduates) and Engineering (10 programs, 749 graduates). Explore program details, award levels, and graduate demographics below.
Business (8 programs, 2,685 graduates)
Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration and Management | 2,399 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0201 |
| International Business and Trade | 111 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.1101 |
| Hospitality Management | 75 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
52.0901 |
| Management Science | 41 |
|
Master's
|
52.1301 |
| Accounting | 20 |
|
Master's
|
52.0301 |
| Construction Management | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
52.2001 |
| Business and Management Services | 13 |
|
Master's
|
52.9999 |
| Meeting and Event Planning | 12 |
|
Master's
|
52.0907 |
Health (15 programs, 821 graduates)
Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Health | 274 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
51.2201 |
| Registered Nursing | 231 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.3801 |
| Speech-Language Pathology | 183 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.0203 |
| Physical Therapy | 37 |
|
Doctorate (P)
|
51.2308 |
| Vocational Rehabilitation Counseling | 30 |
|
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
51.2310 |
| Marriage and Family Therapy | 22 |
|
Master's
|
51.1505 |
| Mental and Social Health Services | 11 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.1599 |
| Athletic Training | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
51.0913 |
| Health Physics | 7 |
|
Master's
|
51.2205 |
| Audiology | 5 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0202 |
| Public Health | 5 |
|
Master's
|
51.2299 |
| Industrial and Physical Pharmacy and Cosmetic Sciences | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.2009 |
| International Public Health | 2 |
|
Master's
|
51.2210 |
| Communication Sciences and Disorders | 1 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
51.0201 |
| Medical Radiologic Technology | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
51.0907 |
Social Sciences (12 programs, 814 graduates)
Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economics | 216 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0601 |
| Sociology | 176 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.1101 |
| Political Science and Government | 150 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
45.1001 |
| Anthropology | 57 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
45.0201 |
| Geography | 56 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
45.0701 |
| National Security Policy | 43 |
|
Master's
|
45.0902 |
| Social Sciences | 42 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0101 |
| International Relations and National Security | 34 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.0999 |
| Urban Studies and Affairs | 24 |
|
Bachelor's
|
45.1201 |
| Criminology | 11 |
|
Master's
|
45.0401 |
| Social Sciences | 4 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
45.9999 |
| Geographic Information Science and Cartography | 1 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
45.0702 |
Education (11 programs, 795 graduates)
Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Education | 226 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0101 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development | 223 |
|
Master's
|
13.1299 |
| Early Childhood Education | 174 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
13.1210 |
| Educational Leadership and Administration | 73 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0401 |
| School Counseling and Guidance | 57 |
|
Master's
|
13.1101 |
| Community College Administration | 16 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.0407 |
| Instructional Technology | 13 |
|
Master's
|
13.0501 |
| Science Teacher Education | 6 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
13.1316 |
| Teaching Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1016 |
| Bilingual and Multilingual Education | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.0201 |
| English as a Second Language (ESL) Teaching | 2 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
13.1401 |
Engineering (10 programs, 749 graduates)
Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Engineering | 210 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.1901 |
| Civil Engineering | 160 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0801 |
| Electrical and Electronics Engineering | 137 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.1001 |
| Aerospace Engineering | 116 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
14.0201 |
| Computer Engineering | 72 |
|
Bachelor's
Doctorate (R)
|
14.0901 |
| Environmental Health Engineering | 30 |
|
Bachelor's
|
14.1401 |
| Biomedical Engineering | 14 |
|
Master's
|
14.0501 |
| Engineering | 5 |
|
Doctorate (R)
|
14.9999 |
| Software Engineering | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
14.0903 |
| Manufacturing Engineering | 2 |
|
Master's
|
14.3601 |
Psychology (3 programs, 742 graduates)
Psychological Sciences, Mental Health and Behavioral Studies
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| General Psychology | 707 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
42.0101 |
| Clinical Psychology | 25 |
|
Master's
Doctorate (R)
|
42.2801 |
| School Psychology | 10 |
|
Master's
|
42.2805 |
Communication (5 programs, 581 graduates)
Media Communications, Journalism and Public Relations
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 321 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
09.0101 |
| Journalism | 121 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0401 |
| Radio and Television Broadcasting | 86 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0701 |
| Health Communication | 37 |
|
Bachelor's
|
09.0905 |
| Mass Communication and Media Studies | 16 |
|
Master's
|
09.0102 |
Security & Safety (2 programs, 550 graduates)
Emergency Management, Law Enforcement and Public Safety
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Safety Studies | 547 |
|
Bachelor's
|
43.0104 |
| Cybersecurity Defense Strategy | 3 |
|
Postbac Cert.
|
43.0404 |
Arts (8 programs, 449 graduates)
Fine Arts, Design Studies and Creative Performance
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Art Studies | 285 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0701 |
| Music Performance | 68 |
|
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50.0903 |
| Theatre Arts | 59 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0501 |
| Music | 11 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0901 |
| Musical Theatre | 9 |
|
Bachelor's
Master's
|
50.0509 |
| Dance | 6 |
|
Bachelor's
|
50.0301 |
| Cinematography and Film Production | 6 |
|
Master's
|
50.0602 |
| Studio Arts, General | 5 |
|
Master's
|
50.0702 |
Kinesiology (3 programs, 428 graduates)
Exercise Science, Sports Medicine and Physical Recreation
| Program Name | Graduates | Gender Distribution | Award Levels | CIP Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education | 406 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0501 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | 14 |
|
Bachelor's
|
31.0101 |
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology | 8 |
|
Master's
|
31.0505 |
Admission Requirements & Test Scores
Comprehensive overview of admission criteria, standardized test score ranges, and application requirements for prospective students at San Diego State University (SDSU).
Application Requirements
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Test score ranges represent the middle 50% of admitted students (25th-75th percentile). Requirements may vary by program.
Tuition, Fees & Estimated Costs
Overview of tuition rates, housing, and other annual education expenses for undergraduate and graduate students
Financial Aid & Student Support
Summary of scholarships, grants, student loans, and financial aid statistics for undergraduate students
Student Success Metrics
Graduation rates and post-graduation earnings to help assess student outcomes and long-term value of education.
Loan Burden & Repayment Outcomes
Breakdown of loan repayment rates and student debt levels by income and dependency status.
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about San Diego State University (SDSU)
How much does it cost to attend San Diego State University (SDSU)?
The annual tuition at San Diego State University (SDSU) is $8,290 for in-state students and $20,170 for out-of-state students. When including room and board, books, and other expenses, the total estimated cost is approximately $34,072 for in-state students and $45,952 for out-of-state students. Additional costs include room and board $21,630 (on) / $17,110 (off) and books and supplies $908.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2022-2023 academic year. Tuition and cost estimates are approximate and may not include all fees, personal expenses, or transportation costs.
What academic programs and degree levels does San Diego State University offer?
San Diego State University (SDSU) offers 133 academic programs across 25 major fields of study, with available degree levels: Bachelor's, Postbac Cert., Master's, Doctorate (Research), Doctorate (Professional).
Most popular program areas include:
- Business Administration, Marketing and Entrepreneurship (8 programs)
- Healthcare Professions, Medical Sciences and Clinical Practice (15 programs)
- Sociology, Anthropology and Political Science Studies (12 programs)
- Educational Sciences, Teaching Methods and Pedagogy (11 programs)
- Engineering Sciences and Applied Technology Solutions (10 programs)
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated, not all offered programs.
What is the acceptance rate for San Diego State University?
San Diego State University (SDSU) has an 34.4% acceptance rate and a 21.6% yield rate, making it highly selective.
Admission statistics breakdown:
- Total applicants: 82,800
- Students admitted: 28,517
- Students enrolled: 6,162
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Admission statistics may vary by program and application cycle.
What financial aid and scholarships are available at San Diego State University?
San Diego State University (SDSU) provides financial aid to 20% of first-time, full-time students, with average grants of $5,459 and average loans of $7,137.
Average financial aid amounts by type:
- Pell grants: $5,775
- State/Local grants: $4,603
- Institutional grants: $2,035
- Federal loans: $5,004
The university supports 6,116 students with grants and 1,939 students with loans annually.
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Financial aid amounts and percentages may vary by program, enrollment status, and individual circumstances.
What is the average salary for San Diego State University graduates?
San Diego State University (SDSU) graduates earn a median salary of $52,620 after 6 years and $64,909 after 10 years.
The salary range 10 years after graduation spans from $39,563 (25th percentile) to $94,570 (75th percentile).
Data based on IPEDS for 2022-2023 academic year. Salary data reflects graduates who received federal financial aid (approximately 60% of all graduates). Actual earnings may vary significantly based on program, location, and individual circumstances.
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