San Diego State University Tuition, Acceptance Rate and Admissions (2026)

San Diego, CA · Public · Graduate degree · College Scorecard data · Updated September 10, 2026

In-State Tuition$8,728
Out-of-State Tuition$21,328
Acceptance Rate36%
Average SATNot published

San Diego State University vs. State and National Averages

San Diego State UniversityCA AverageNational Average
In-state tuition$8,728$16,639$18,082
vs. average—-48%-52%

Other colleges in San Diego

CollegeTypeUndergraduatesTuition
University of San DiegoPrivate nonprofit5,671$59,486
Point Loma Nazarene UniversityPrivate nonprofit3,188$46,250
Newschool of Architecture and DesignPrivate for-profit182$30,291
Design Institute of San DiegoPrivate for-profit77$29,300
The Chicago School at San DiegoPrivate nonprofit2$21,780

Tuition shown is in-state tuition for schools that report one, otherwise the published tuition for the school's largest program. Source: College Scorecard.

Outcomes and student profile at San Diego State University

Median earnings 10 years after enrolling$64,909
Graduation rate (within 150% of normal time)76%
Median debt among graduates who borrowed$15,000
Undergraduates receiving Pell grants32%
Undergraduates aged 25 and over12%
First-generation students41%

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. Earnings and debt figures cover students who received federal financial aid.

FAQ

What is the tuition at San Diego State University?

In-state tuition at San Diego State University is $8,728 and out-of-state tuition is $21,328, according to College Scorecard data.

What is the acceptance rate at San Diego State University?

The acceptance rate at San Diego State University is 36%.

How hard is it to get into San Diego State University?

With an acceptance rate of 36%, San Diego State University is selective among U.S. colleges.

What SAT score do you need for San Diego State University?

College Scorecard does not publish an average SAT score for San Diego State University. Schools without a published figure are usually test-optional, open-admission, or they do not report test scores to the federal survey.

How big is San Diego State University?

San Diego State University enrolls about 35,377 undergraduate students. The student-faculty ratio is 27:1.

Is San Diego State University expensive?

In-state tuition at San Diego State University is $8,728, which is 48% below the CA average of $16,639.

How much do graduates of San Diego State University earn?

Median earnings ten years after enrolling at San Diego State University are $64,909 a year, according to College Scorecard.

How much debt do students at San Diego State University take on?

The median debt among San Diego State University graduates who borrowed is $15,000, according to College Scorecard.