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Public · San Diego, California

San Diego State University

Urban campus · 35,377 undergraduates · 27 students per faculty member · Official website

Acceptance rate
36%
Test scores
Test-optional
Average net price
$15,364
per year, after grants
6-year graduation
76%
Campus of San Diego State University
Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Is San Diego State University a reach, a target or a likely for your student?

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What San Diego State University costs

Net price is what a first-year student pays for a year after grants and scholarships, by family income. It is usually far below the sticker price.

Net price by family income

Under $30,000
$9,910
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,017
$48,001 – $75,000
$12,697
$75,001 – $110,000
$15,891
Over $110,000
$23,821

For students receiving federal aid, at in-state tuition.

These are in-state prices. Your family's price, at your income and from your home state, is in your account.See your family's price →

Price and aid

Full cost of attendance (sticker)
$27,780
Tuition, in-state
$8,728
Tuition, out-of-state
$21,328
First-years given a grant by the school
27%
Average grant from the school
$6,866
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
The school's own net price calculator
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Admissions

Acceptance rate
36%
SAT middle 50%
–
ACT middle 50%
–
Test scores
Test-optional
First-year retention
90%

Is this a reach, a target or a likely?

Below, inside or above the range, with the acceptance rate, decides reach, target or likely. U Shortlist works it out from your student’s own scores and keeps it separate from fit.

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San Diego State University athletics

NCAA D1, 11 women's and 6 men's sports

Varsity teams and roster sizes
SportWomen’s rosterMen’s roster
Baseball–40
Basketball3217
Cross country94–
Football–116
Golf813
Lacrosse32–
Soccer2828
Softball24–
Swimming & diving29–
Tennis89
Track & field94–
Volleyball17–
Water polo23–

Participants reported to the U.S. Department of Education. A dash means no team for that side.

Find every NCAA D1 school with women’s soccer within 300 miles of you, on one map with net price and admission odds.Search by sport →

Academics and outcomes

Most popular fields

Business & marketing
26%
Psychology
8%
Social sciences
7%
Engineering
7%
Communication & journalism
7%
Security & protective services
6%

Share of bachelor’s degrees awarded.

6-year graduation rate
76%
First-year retention
90%
Median earnings 10 years after entry
$64,909
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
Students with a Pell grant
32%

Similar colleges nearby

Sources: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (admissions, prices, outcomes), IPEDS Student Financial Aid 2023–24 (school grants) and Equity in Athletics 2024–25 (teams). No college paid to appear here or can pay to be ranked.

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Data: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS and Equity in Athletics. Photos: Wikimedia Commons. © 2026 U Shortlist.