San Jose State University
#1 Best Business Colleges in California- Graduation Rate
- 67% B-
- Solid completion rate — most students graduate
- Earnings (10yr)
- $78,988 A
- Top 4% nationally — exceptional earning power
- Net Price
- $13,760 C+
- 20% less than the typical college
- Acceptance Rate
- 85% C-
- Accessible to most qualified applicants
Bottom line: A B overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 38.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $38.9 over 20 years. Ranked #1 in Best Business Colleges in California.
Every $1 spent returns $38.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $2,086,199.
What The Data Says
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A B overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduates earn 94% more than the national college median.
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Social mobility rate of 5.43% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $38.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Economic Footprint
- Inventor Rate
- 0.6%
- Top 37%
- Patents
- 127
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 376
- Downstream influence
Why San Jose State University Matters
San Jose State University is a public university in San Jose, CA and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by 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 4% of all U.S. colleges.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public University
- Carnegie Class
- Master's University
- Enrollment
- 27,601
- Setting
- Urban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Business & Marketing, Engineering, Psychology, Visual & Performing Arts
Why students choose San Jose 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
Accessible — admits about 85% of applicants. Run your numbers in the admissions predictor below.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,760 a year after grants and scholarships — 20% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $78,988 ten years after enrolling — 94% above the typical college, against $15,000 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 5.4% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 2% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.80 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
San Jose State University has an impressive enrollment of 27,601 students, making it one of the largest public universities in California. This size translates into diverse opportunities for engagement and networking within a vibrant campus community. The acceptance rate stands at 85%, allowing a wide range of students to pursue their academic goals.
Graduates from San Jose State experience strong earning potential. The median salary ten years after graduation is $78,988, indicating that many alumni find successful careers in their fields. Although specific mobility metrics are not available, the university's location in Silicon Valley offers unique access to tech and business opportunities, likely enhancing upward mobility for its graduates.
In terms of cost, San Jose State has a net price of $13,760, which is relatively affordable compared to many institutions. With a median debt of $15,000, students can expect manageable financial obligations post-graduation. This university attracts students who thrive in a dynamic environment, particularly in business, engineering, and the arts, where hands-on experience and industry connections can lead to fruitful careers.
Rankings
- #1 Best Business Colleges in California
- #1 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in California
- #1 Best MBA Programs in California
- #2 Best Online Colleges in California
- #4 Best ROI Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #4 Best Social Mobility Colleges for Criminal Justice
- #4 Best Engineering Colleges in California
- #4 Best Communications Colleges in California
Can I Get In?
How selective San Jose 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 Jose State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
San Jose State University, located in San Jose, California, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
- Acceptance Rate
- 85%
- Retention Rate
- 87%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 44%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,896
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.72
- First-Gen Students
- 49%
- Applicants
- 34,002
- Admitted
- 26,083
Inside the Admissions Office
School-reported Common Data Set · 2024-25
The acceptance rate tells you how hard San Jose State University is to get into. Its Common Data Set tells you what happens once you are admitted: how many students say yes, how many arrived without test scores, and whether applying early tilts the odds. 15% of admitted students go on to enroll here, making it a school most admitted students ultimately pass on.
- Yield Rate
- 15%
- of admits enroll
- Submitted SAT
- 10%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Submitted ACT
- 100%
- of enrolled freshmen
- Early Decision Admit Rate
- 5.0%
- vs 84.6% overall
Applying early pays off here. Of 3 Early Decision applicants, 15 were admitted — a 5.0% admit rate, roughly 5.9× the 84.6% rate for the overall pool. That binding round alone filled about 0% of the entering class (15 of 4,604 first-years). The catch: Early Decision is a commitment you make before you can compare aid offers.
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 Jose State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at San Jose State University is $21,010, 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 $13,760. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,730 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $8,410
- Out-of-State
- $21,010
- Avg Net Price
- $13,760
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Pell Grant Rate
- 35%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 20%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $9,730
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,114
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $12,099
- Family Income $110K+
- $22,862
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 Jose 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 Jose State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of San Jose State University earn a median of $78,988, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $62,448
- 8 Years
- $70,420
- 10 Years
- $78,988
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.19x
- Earning > $25K
- 73%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (655)
- 19%
- 100% (655)
- 19%
- 100% (655)
- 19%
- 100% (655)
- 19%
Where Grads Go
Top employers of San Jose State University’s MBA graduates, by hires reported in the school’s employment report.
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 Jose State University Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, San Jose State University delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,760/year ($55,040 total). Graduates earn $78,988 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $2,141,239 in total earnings — a net gain of $2,086,199 (38.9× your investment). The median debt is $15,000, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 67% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $55,040
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $2,141,239
- Net Return
- $2,086,199
- ROI Multiple
- 38.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $13,760
- Median Debt
- $15,000
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
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 Jose State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
San Jose 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 5.43%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 46.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 5.43%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 46.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 11.7%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $124,588
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Innovation & Knowledge Creation
Patents, inventors, and research influence · Opportunity Insights & Times Higher Education
San Jose State University produces inventors at a measurable rate, with 127 patents tied to its graduates.
- Inventor Rate
- 0.62%
- Top 37% nationally
- Patents Produced
- 127
- Linked to graduates
- Patent Citations
- 376
- Downstream influence
- Inventors From Low-Income
- 0.41%
- Bottom-20% families
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $-20,003,812
Top Programs
The fields San Jose 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% $68,105 early-career
- Engineering 13% $92,767 early-career
- Psychology 8% $40,390 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 8% $62,409 early-career
- Social Sciences 5% $45,495 early-career
- Health Professions 5% $109,643 early-career
- Communications 5% $49,166 early-career
- Criminal Justice 4% $44,852 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 Jose 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 Jose State University? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
San Jose State University, located in San Jose, California, admits most of the students who apply; the acceptance rate is roughly 85%. The graduation rate is roughly 67%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend San Jose State University? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at San Jose State University is $21,010, 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 $13,760. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $9,730 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,000 in federal student loans.
Is San Jose State University Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of San Jose State University earn a median of $78,988, well above the national average for bachelor's degree holders.
Does San Jose State University Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
San Jose 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 5.43%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 11.7% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 46.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $91,700, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is San Jose 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 Jose State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Does San Jose State University offer Early Decision, and does it improve admission chances?
Yes. San Jose State University offers a binding Early Decision plan, and it carries a real advantage: Early Decision applicants were admitted at 5%, about 5.9 times the overall 85% acceptance rate, and ED filled roughly 0% of the entering class. Because ED is binding, it makes sense only if San Jose State University is a clear first choice and you can commit before comparing aid offers (2024-25 Common Data Set).
Is San Jose State University really test-optional?
San Jose State University reports test-optional admission, but most enrolled students still submit scores: about 1% of first-year students sent an SAT or ACT (2024-25 Common Data Set). Submitting strong scores is the norm here.
What percentage of admitted students enroll at San Jose State University?
About 15% of admitted students choose to enroll at San Jose State University — its yield rate (2024-25 Common Data Set). Yield reflects how often a school wins when applicants weigh competing offers.
Compare San Jose State University
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to San Jose State University.
- George Mason UniversityFairfax, VA · Close peer69% grad $76,343 earn 87% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State Polytechnic University-PomonaPomona, CA · Close peer68% grad $71,902 earn 75% acceptWhy: similar earnings · similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- University of California-RiversideRiverside, CA · Close peer76% grad $67,699 earn 76% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar net price
- University of Illinois ChicagoChicago, IL · Close peer61% grad $68,740 earn 77% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate
- California State University-SacramentoSacramento, CA · Close peer56% grad $64,876 earn 94% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar size · same state
- Iowa State UniversityAmes, IA · Close peer75% grad $63,386 earn 89% acceptWhy: similar selectivity · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is San Jose 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 Jose State University. Its economic connectedness score is 1.80, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 6% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note