San Diego State University
#3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California- Graduation Rate
- 77% B+
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $64,909 A-
- Top 10% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $15,364 C+
- Close to the national average
- Acceptance Rate
- 36% A
- Selective, but achievable with strong credentials
Bottom line: A B+ overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 27.5× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $27.5 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California.
Every $1 spent returns $27.5 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,631,534.
What The Data Says
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A B+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 59% more than the national college median.
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A 77% graduation rate — 35% above the national average.
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A top feeder school for 3 major employers.
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Social mobility rate of 3.66% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
Economic Footprint
- World Rank
- #351-400
- Times Higher Education
- Employer Pipelines
- 3
- Top feeder programs
- Research Score
- 23/100
- Times Higher Education
Why San Diego State University Matters
San Diego State University is a public research university in San Diego, CA ranked #351-400 in the world by Times Higher Education, and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a strong research base, a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network, and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduates whose earnings land in the top 10% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Research University
- Carnegie Class
- R2 · High Research
- Enrollment
- 35,377
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Psychology, Social Sciences, Engineering
Why students choose San Diego State University
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
Selective — admits about 36% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $15,364 a year after grants and scholarships — 10% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $64,909 ten years after enrolling — 59% above the typical college, against $15,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 3.7% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 5% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
San Diego State University has an enrollment of 35,377 students, making it one of the largest universities in California. This vibrant campus community reflects a diverse student body and a wide array of academic programs. With a graduation rate of 77%, many students successfully complete their degrees and transition into the workforce.
According to Opportunity Insights data, San Diego State University plays a significant role in economic mobility. Graduates earn an average of $64,909 ten years after enrollment, indicating strong outcomes for those who complete their degrees. While specific mobility data is not available, the university supports a diverse population, including a 32% Pell Grant rate, which suggests a commitment to serving students from lower-income backgrounds.
The net price to attend San Diego State is $15,364, and the median debt for graduates is $15,000. This combination of costs and earnings makes the financial outlook relatively favorable for graduates. Students who thrive here often pursue degrees in Business & Marketing, Psychology, Social Sciences, Engineering, and Criminal Justice, benefiting from a supportive environment in these popular fields.
Rankings
- #3 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California
- #5 Best Business Colleges in California
- #5 Best MBA Programs in California
- #6 Best Online Colleges in California
- #9 Best Communications Colleges in California
- #13 Best Engineering Colleges in California
- #13 Best Nursing Colleges in California
- #14 Best Colleges in California
Can I Get In?
How selective San Diego State University is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into San Diego State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in San Diego, California, San Diego State University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 36%. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 36%
- Retention Rate
- 91%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 50%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $13,042
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 25:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 41%
- Applicants
- 77,250
- Admitted
- 30,331
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend San Diego State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at San Diego State University is $21,328, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,364. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,910 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,728
- Out-of-State
- $21,328
- Avg Net Price
- $15,364
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 32%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 23%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,910
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,017
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,697
- Family Income $110K+
- $23,821
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at San Diego State University — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is San Diego State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of San Diego State University earn a median of $64,909, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $52,620
- 8 Years
- $61,120
- 10 Years
- $64,909
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.23x
- Earning > $25K
- 70%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (2,228)
- 47%
- 100% (2,228)
- 47%
- 100% (2,228)
- 47%
- 100% (2,228)
- 47%
Where Grads Go
San Diego State University is a top feeder for:
Rank among programs feeding each employer.
Top employers of San Diego State University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
- Amazon ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- Meta ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- Google ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- Microsoft ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- Salesforce ✓ VerifiedTechnology · Class of 2024
- Qualcomm ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- ServiceNow ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- City of San Diego ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
- San Diego State University ✓ VerifiedOther · Class of 2024
How San Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is San Diego State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, San Diego State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $15,364/year ($61,456 total). Graduates earn $64,909 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,692,990 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,631,534 (27.5× your investment). The median debt is $15,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 77% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $61,456
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,692,990
- Net Return
- $1,631,534
- ROI Multiple
- 27.5×
- Cost Per Year
- $15,364
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does San Diego State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
San Diego State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.66%, among the highest in the country. About 9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 3.66%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 40.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $136,544
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
- Research Score
- 23/100
- Times Higher Ed
- Academic Influence
- 61/100
- Citation impact (THE)
- Industry Engagement
- 29/100
- Knowledge transfer (THE)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Federal Grants
- $3,157,841
- Investment Income
- $-30,331,377
Top Programs
The fields San Diego State University awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Business & Marketing 26% $67,032 early-career
- Psychology 8% $28,650 early-career
- Social Sciences 7% $49,535 early-career
- Engineering 7% $83,715 early-career
- Communications 7% $45,237 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $33,103 early-career
- Health Professions 5% $103,821 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $43,569 early-career
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for San Diego State University's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- C+Marketing Manager$156,580 · 8% growthAdaptable 64
- CAdvertising Manager$138,730 · 6% growthAdaptable 64
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into San Diego State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in San Diego, California, San Diego State University reviews applications selectively. The acceptance rate runs near 36%. The graduation rate is roughly 77%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend San Diego State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at San Diego State University is $21,328, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $15,364. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,910 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
Is San Diego State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of San Diego State University earn a median of $64,909, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does San Diego State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
San Diego State University is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 3.66%, among the highest in the country. About 9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 40.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $100,500, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is San Diego State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at San Diego State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
How Research-Intensive Is San Diego State University? World Rank, Teaching & Citations
Times Higher Education places San Diego State University at #351-400 worldwide. Its profile spans a research score of 23/100, teaching at 15/100, and citation impact of 61/100, reflecting both the volume of research output and how often that work is cited by scholars elsewhere.
Compare San Diego State University
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to San Diego State University.
- California State University-Long BeachLong Beach, CA · Close peer69% grad $64,403 earn 46% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- The University of Tennessee-KnoxvilleKnoxville, TN · Close peer74% grad $60,249 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- North Carolina State University at RaleighRaleigh, NC · Close peer85% grad $68,758 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of Washington-Seattle CampusSeattle, WA · Close peer84% grad $78,466 earn 39% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of California-DavisDavis, CA · Close peer85% grad $80,838 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, IL · Close peer85% grad $81,054 earn 42% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is San Diego State University? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at San Diego State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.03), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 7% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note