San Diego State University, San Diego
California, United States of America | Estd in 1970 | Government University
CWUR Rank : 598
About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is the largest public higher education university, established in 1970. The university is considered the oldest in San Diego and is spread over 300 acres. It is renowned for the best academic performance along with high-quality major facilities. The student-faculty ratio of the university is 24:1.
Candidates applying at San Diego State University are charged an application fee of INR 5.9K (USD 70), which is a non-refundable fee required to be submitted before any other document to process the application reviewing criteria.
The acceptance rate at San Diego State University is 38%. A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to be considered for admission at the university, or an equivalent score of a B grade or 80% or higher.
Furthermore, international candidates applying to San Diego State University need to provide evidence of their English proficiency test scores if they are non-native English speakers. The university accepts tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), and Duolingo.
San Diego State University offers more than 200 programmes ranging in different levels of study from undergraduate to professional. The university has four campuses: SDSU Georgia, SDSU Global Campus, SDSU Imperial Valley and SDSU Mission Valley.
The average tuition fee at San Diego State University for international students is INR 32.9K (USD 396) per unit, which may vary depending on various factors. To ease tuition costs, the university has nearly 700 scholarship programmes on departmental basics.
San Diego State University will have more than 32,069 full-time enrolments in 2024, representing over 86 countries and having over 400 student clubs and organisations. The university has a history of producing notable alumni. Currently, they have more than 400,000 alumni.
Latest Deadline at San Diego State University
The regular deadline at San Diego State University for international students is April 1. Whereas, the early consideration deadline is November 1.
Read More: Benefits of studying in the USA
San Diego State University Highlights
- Domestic: 31550
- International: 644
San Diego State University Ranking and Stats
San Diego State University has been ranked 1001-1200 in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and 801–1000th in the World University Rankings 2024 by the Times Higher Education.
Additionally, the university also secured its rank at 105th out of 439 national universities in the US News, with a ranking of 51st among top public schools and 178th among best value schools.
Parametric Score and Ranking 2024
| Domain | Year | Score | Rank | Rank Band |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 2019 | NA | NA | 33.5–37.0 |
| Overall | 2020 | NA | NA | 35.3–38.7 |
| Overall | 2021 | NA | NA | 30.2–36.3 |
| Overall | 2022 | NA | NA | 32.0–37.9 |
| Overall | 2023 | NA | NA | 34.0–39.2 |
| Overall | 2024 | NA | NA | 32.7-36.9 |
San Diego State University Courses
San Diego State University offers an extensive range of programmes ranging in different levels of study from undergraduate to professional. The university covers more than 97 bachelor’s, 84 master's, and 23 doctoral programmes.
Some of the majors at San Diego State University are Business, Communication and Mass Media, Computer Science and Information Systems, Education, Fine and Performing Arts, Health Science and Wellness, Humanities and Social Sciences, Language, Literature and Writing, Mathematics and Statistics, Natural Sciences and many other interesting subjects.
Accreditations
San Diego State University Cost Of Living
The cost of living at San Diego State University ranges depending on various factors, including living style, residence type, level of course and personal expenses. For an estimated cost of living for the academic year 2023-2024 for international students, check the table mentioned below. San Diego State University has nearly 25 buildings and approximately 8,500 residents.
Cost of living for undergraduate courses
Particular | On-campus | Off-campus |
Basic tuition and fees | INR 6.9 L (USD 8,290) | INR 6.9 L (USD 8,290) |
Non-resident tuition | INR 9.9 L (USD 11,880) | INR 9.9 L (USD 11,880) |
Books, supplies | INR 75.5 K (USD 908) | INR 75.5 K (USD 908) |
Food, housing | INR 18 L (USD 21,630) | INR 14.3 L (USD 17,110) |
Transportation | INR 92.5 K (USD 1,114) | INR 2 L (USD 2,344) |
Miscellaneous, Personal | INR 1.8 L (USD 2,130) | INR 2.4 L (USD 2,796) |
Out-of-State and International Student Fee | INR 83.1 K (USD 1,000) | INR 83.1 K (USD 1,000) |
Total | INR 39 L (USD 46,952) | INR 36.8 L (USD 44,328) |
International undergraduate students are required to have health insurance, which will cost around INR 1.1 L (USD 1,282) per year.
The cost of living for the graduate programmes at the university campus differs. Whereas the off-campus cost is equivalent to the undergraduate course cost, expect basic tuition and fees and non-resident tuition. Check the table below for references.
Cost of living for postgraduate courses
Particular | on-campus |
Basic tuition and fees | INR 8.1 L (USD 9,724) |
Books, supplies | INR 75.4K (USD 908) |
Food, housing | INR 18 L (USD 21,629) |
Transportation | INR 92.5 K (USD 1,114) |
Miscellaneous, Personal | INR 1.8 L (USD 2,130) |
Total | INR 29.5 L (USD 35,505) |
The university has additional fees for international students for a graduate programme, which includes
First-Year Experience (FYE) Fee: INR 24.9 K (USD 300)
Graduate Student Experience Programme Fees: INR 24.9 K (USD 300)
Business students in selected programmes: INR 22.5 K (USD 270) per unit.
Non-resident tuition: INR 32.9 L (USD 396) per unit for basic tuition and fees.
Is it expensive to study at the university?
The total tuition cost, including the basic tuition and fees and the international tuition fee at San Diego State University, is INR 16.8 L (USD 20,170) for the academic year 2023-2024 for international students. Whereas, the national tuition cost is INR 22.7 L (USD 27,320) for international students. Hence, studying at San Diego State University is cheaper than the national average cost for international applicants.
San Diego State University Admission and Application
All the candidates applying to San Diego State University need to submit various entry requirements, which may vary depending on various aspects such as the country candidates are applying from, their level of study, their choice of course, and many others. A minimum U.S. equivalent GPA (grade point average) of 3.0 is required at the university for consideration during the selection process, which is equivalent to a B grade or 80% or higher.
How to apply at San Diego State University?
All applicants applying to San Diego State University need to submit their applications through the Cal State Application Portal. Here are the steps to complete the application process:
Visit the official website of the university.
Click on the ‘Apply’ tab.
Then, select the ‘Apply as an International First-Year Student’ option.
Click on the ’Steps to Apply’ tab.
Now, click on 'Cal State Apply’ under the Step 1 section.
Select the term the candidate is applying for.
Create an account.
Log in with the credentials shared with the registered email.
Start filling out the form and providing all the required documents.
Pay the application fee.
Then, apply to the university.
Application fee and deadline
The application fee at San Diego State University is INR 5.9K (USD 70), which is a non-refundable fee required to be submitted before any other document to process the application reviewing criteria.
Check the table mentioned below for the application deadline at San Diego State University for international students.
Application deadline at San Diego State University
Particular | Deadlines |
Early Consideration Deadline | November 30 |
Regular Deadline | April 1 |
Documents Requirements
Academics and transcripts record. ( Official academic records must arrive in a sealed envelope from the secondary institution(s) or the Ministry of Education.)
Passport copy
Personal statement
Academic reference and LOR
Interview.
CV/Resume
Essay
Evidence of English Language Proficiency
Work experience.
Proof of financial support.
If the transcript, diploma or any certificate is not in English, then the students must submit a certified literal English translation of each document, which must come directly from the high school or a professional in sealed envelopes.
San Diego State University Scholarship
San Diego State University offers more than 700 scholarship opportunities to ease the academics of all the students at the university and to achieve their educational goals. Candidates need to submit one application form at the university application portal, “Aztec Scholarships,” to be considered for the scholarship.
The application process for the scholarship is quick and easy. All the applications are reviewed based on the applicant’s data, including major, GPA, class level, financial aid data and other test scores.
Aztec Scholarships automatically filters the primed applications and sends them to San Diego State University scholarship committees for award consideration.
Scholarship committees are the university faculty or staff from the academic programmes, department or campus organisation. All the information reviewed automatically applies the candidate to the "auto-match" scholarships for which they qualify. Moreover, the university also accepts many external scholarships.
Read More: Scholarships in the USA.
San Diego State University Eligibility
San Diego State University requires proof of the English language test scores of non-native English-speaking students. The tests accepted at the university are TOEFL, IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), and Duolingo.
English Language Test Requirements
Exams | Minimum Scores |
TOEFL | 80 iBT/550 paper |
IELTS | 6.5 |
PTE | 58 |
Duolingo | 105 |
San Diego State University Campus Facilities
Classrooms
Wifi
Library
Laboratories
Alumni Associations
Swimming Pool
Gym
Sports
Parking Facility
Auditorium
Cafeteria
Convenience Store
I.T Infrastructure
San Diego State University International Office Details
San Diego State University has more than 35,000 international students, representing over 86 countries. The university is considered a good one for students who want to study in the USA. San Diego State University also has over 400 student clubs and organisations.
Furthermore, the university also has 22 learning communities and 18 Athelic teams, which will help them grow with different communities and learn about various cultures and diversity. In the recent data for 2024, it is noted that the total number of full-time enrolled students at the university is 32,069, of whom 5% are international students.
Email: intladmission@sdsu.ed
Is it hard to study at the university as an international student?
Yes, it is hard to secure admission at San Diego State University. The university is considered highly competitive. The acceptance rate at San Diego State University is 38%, which is highly selective. Only 38 students are selected out of 100 applications. Students with excellent academic performance, well-maintained GPAs, and scores get the highest chances of admission to the university.
Therefore, it is advisable for the applicants to strongly prepare and achieve a relatively high score on the examinations. In addition to academic excellence, candidates must participate in clubs, volunteer, pursue independent projects, or excel in competitive sports or the arts.
San Diego State University Gallery
Gallery
FAQ's
San Diego State University secured its ranking 1001-1200th in the QS World University Rankings 2024 and 801–1000th in the World University Rankings 2024 by the Times Higher Education.
Additionally, the university also secured its rank at 105th out of 439 national universities in the US News.
The total tuition cost, including the basic tuition and fees and the international tuition fee at San Diego State University, is INR 16.8 L (USD 20,170) for the academic year 2023-2024 for international students for undergraduate courses. Moreover, the cost per unit at the university is INR 32.9K (USD 396).
Securing admission at San Diego State University is not so tough, but due to its moderate-to-low acceptance rate, the acceptance rate at San Diego State University is 38%. Students with excellent academic performance, well-maintained GPAs, perfectly written statements and interviews have higher consideration during the selection process. It is highly recommended that the students achieve higher grades to be considered among the top students in the university selection process.
A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required to be considered for admission at San Diego State University, or an equivalent score of a B grade or 80% or higher.
San Diego State University is one of the top public research universities. The university aims to provide a quality education at an affordable cost to all of its students. The university has over 200 degree programmes. It is also renowned for its excellent academic performance. The university secured its ranking at 1001–1200 in the QS World University Rankings 2024.
Download Careers360 App's
Regular exam updates, QnA, Predictors, College Applications & E-books now on your Mobile
![student]()
300M+
Students
36,000+
Colleges
550+
Exams
1500+
E-Books
16000+
Cetifications
