San Diego State University
public · Founded 1897 · San Diego, CA
Acceptance Rate
34.40%
Enrollment
39,241
Tuition & Fees
$10,838
Graduation Rate
78.00%
Retention Rate
90.00%
Off-Campus Needed
29,431
SDSU Report Card
Letter grades compare this school against national university benchmarks.
Academics
Selectivity, test scores, retention, and faculty access.
Value
Cost, aid, grants, and post-graduation earnings.
Diversity
Economic access, geographic mix, and gender balance.
Location
Safety, walkability, transit, and student nightlife.
Campus
Housing capacity, student body scale, and campus setting.
Outcomes
Graduation, retention, employment, and earnings.
Grades are benchmarked against national profile data. View methodology
Can You Get Into SDSU?
SDSU admitted just 28,517 of 82,800 applicants — a 34.40% acceptance rate
Admissions Snapshot
10% below state avg
24% below state avg
Coming to SDSU from out of state?
25% of freshmen aren't from California. If you're moving for SDSU, start your housing search early — only 25.00% of students can live on campus.
Browse Housing Near SDSUWhat Will SDSU Cost You?
Most students don't pay sticker price — 88.00% receive financial aid
Sticker Price
87% below national avg
Financial Aid & Grants
Your estimated net price
On-Campus vs. Off-Campus Housing Cost
SDSU's on-campus room and board adds up to $21,424 per year ($1,785/month). Many students find that off-campus apartments offer more space, kitchen access, and flexibility — often at a lower monthly cost.
| On-Campus | Off-Campus (avg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Annual Housing | $14,344 | Varies |
| Monthly Equivalent | $1,195/mo | See listings |
| Meal Plan | $7,080 (required) | Flexible |
| Availability | 8,664 beds only | Hundreds of options |
What Can You Study at SDSU?
Most Popular Undergraduate Majors
Business Administration and Management, General.
2001 graduates · 45.23% women
Psychology, General.
630 graduates · 80.32% women
Criminal Justice/Safety Studies.
402 graduates · 58.71% women
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General.
353 graduates · 60.91% women
Biology/Biological Sciences, General.
276 graduates · 73.19% women
Mechanical Engineering.
259 graduates · 15.44% women
Speech Communication and Rhetoric.
257 graduates · 66.54% women
Art/Art Studies, General.
248 graduates · 72.18% women
Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other.
243 graduates · 67.9% women
Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.
223 graduates · 92.83% women
Your major at this school
Grad students need housing too
With 5,191 graduate students and only 8,664 total dorm beds, most grad students live off campus.
See Apartments Popular with Grad StudentsWhat's It Like at SDSU?
San Diego, CA — city
Student Body
Where Freshmen Come From
From your state to this school
Student Demographics
SDSU Photos
Campus images from the university profile
Neighborhoods near SDSU
Where students live around San Diego State University — vibe, walkability, and commute at a glance.
How Does SDSU Compare?
Institutional resources and student-faculty ratios
Student-Faculty Ratio
22:1
Peer Institutions
Schools that SDSU reports as peers for academic and admissions benchmarking.
Will You Succeed at SDSU?
90.00% of freshmen return for sophomore year — 78.00% graduate within 6 years
Graduation Rates
1% below state avg
4% below state avg
6-Year Graduation by Group
SDSU Reviews
Student perspectives on academics, campus life, and housing fit
Be the first student to review this university.
29,431 SDSU Students Need Off-Campus Housing
With 39,241 students and only 8,664 dorm beds, 75% of SDSU students live off campus.
34,050
Undergraduates
5,191
Graduate Students
29,431
Need Off-Campus Housing
Data Sources: U.S. Department of Education IPEDS, National Center for Education Statistics. University Apartments is not affiliated with San Diego State University.