Two ratings: the overall grade compares colleges the conventional way (outcomes, cost, resources, experience, reputation). The Outcome Rating asks what students earn: 60% wage-adjusted earnings 10 years after enrolling, 25% graduation, 15% retention. Methodology
Quick Stats
Earnings, Debt & Completion
What happens to students who enroll at San Diego State University, from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
Typical debt at graduation equals about 23% of one year’s median earnings ten years after entry.
Earnings rank: 63rd percentile among bachelor’s-degree-focused colleges after a partial adjustment for local wage levels (CA wage index 1.21). This drives the Outcome Rating.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, retrieved Oct 2026. Earnings are for federally aided students who enrolled, whether or not they graduated.
Earnings by Major at San Diego State University
Median pay of bachelor's degree graduates by field of study, and how each program ranks against every college reporting that major — by raw pay and adjusted for state wage levels. Same school, very different paychecks.
| Major | 1 yr after | 4 yrs after | vs. national | Rank (pay) | Rank (wage-adj.) | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $100,221 | $120,799 | +36% | #18 of 966 | #43 | $17,375 |
| Computer Engineering | $76,812 | $116,842 | +7% | #46 of 189 | #103 | $17,249 |
| Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering | $75,061 | $106,416 | +6% | #48 of 258 | #173 | $17,999 |
| Computer Science | $74,523 | $100,586 | -6% | #167 of 349 | #241 | $16,866 |
| Construction Engineering Technology/Technician | $81,608 | $100,564 | +7% | #6 of 43 | #29 | — |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical/Space Engineering | $74,375 | $100,139 | +2% | #20 of 59 | #48 | $23,417 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $69,754 | $97,825 | +6% | #56 of 318 | #215 | $19,499 |
| Civil Engineering | $73,584 | $95,865 | +11% | #17 of 233 | #103 | $19,832 |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering | $66,482 | $88,417 | +9% | #4 of 46 | #25 | $16,997 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $53,373 | $88,136 | +6% | #120 of 452 | #203 | $15,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences | $54,244 | $86,613 | -6% | #217 of 459 | #316 | $16,375 |
| Statistics | $57,734 | $83,076 | -10% | #31 of 50 | #39 | $13,125 |
| Marketing | $48,229 | $81,368 | +17% | #66 of 516 | #140 | $15,000 |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology | $45,360 | $81,122 | +30% | #5 of 49 | #7 | $15,500 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $57,157 | $80,011 | +5% | #254 of 796 | #445 | $15,218 |
| Chemistry | $43,603 | $74,676 | +15% | #41 of 209 | #84 | $17,999 |
| Economics | $44,125 | $74,123 | -10% | #232 of 368 | #285 | $15,250 |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences | $41,351 | $73,647 | +22% | #9 of 138 | #30 | $21,500 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences | $35,624 | $73,095 | +19% | #27 of 156 | #42 | $26,150 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $40,009 | $70,113 | +24% | #13 of 137 | #24 | $15,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $46,275 | $69,902 | +2% | #380 of 1176 | #691 | $15,000 |
| Applied Mathematics | $42,856 | $69,606 | -24% | #39 of 45 | #42 | $23,793 |
| International Business | $38,138 | $69,141 | -6% | #77 of 115 | #93 | $13,110 |
| Biology | $33,597 | $68,861 | +20% | #116 of 841 | #257 | $18,010 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $44,197 | $67,414 | +6% | #58 of 178 | #109 | $16,111 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | — | $66,649 | +20% | #2 of 70 | #21 | — |
| Political Science and Government | $38,060 | $64,824 | +2% | #203 of 565 | #338 | $17,364 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $22,378 | $61,510 | +4% | #74 of 215 | #165 | $14,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $37,773 | $61,389 | +9% | #136 of 660 | #288 | $15,000 |
| Public Health | $41,092 | $60,904 | +4% | #83 of 215 | #129 | $15,000 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | $26,327 | $59,914 | +10% | #124 of 610 | #305 | $15,285 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $35,361 | $59,733 | -10% | #80 of 118 | #96 | $15,124 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $23,190 | $58,419 | +10% | #118 of 476 | #239 | $12,838 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $34,090 | $58,215 | +6% | #89 of 265 | #152 | $12,726 |
| Geography and Cartography | $38,648 | $58,004 | +0% | #57 of 117 | #92 | $14,999 |
| Mathematics | — | $57,999 | -17% | #265 of 309 | #291 | $8,772 |
| History | $38,203 | $57,861 | +14% | #81 of 459 | #178 | $13,881 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $33,261 | $57,510 | +4% | #231 of 660 | #455 | $13,499 |
| Public Administration | $41,020 | $57,264 | -12% | #34 of 47 | #40 | $14,999 |
| Parks, Recreation, and Leisure Studies | $33,692 | $57,093 | +12% | #12 of 63 | #32 | $14,999 |
| Social Work | $36,916 | $56,674 | +9% | #98 of 420 | #279 | $15,000 |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $29,267 | $55,230 | +7% | #34 of 103 | #50 | $23,080 |
| Nutrition Sciences | $34,878 | $55,115 | -8% | #44 of 53 | #49 | $17,849 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies | $33,165 | $55,072 | -1% | #102 of 207 | #153 | $15,225 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $31,459 | $54,569 | +6% | #128 of 299 | #182 | $13,832 |
| Journalism | $30,269 | $53,997 | -4% | #102 of 187 | #152 | $14,998 |
| Anthropology | $25,553 | $53,991 | +16% | #38 of 188 | #71 | $12,886 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | $25,361 | $53,621 | -24% | #207 of 253 | #237 | $20,000 |
| Philosophy | $29,712 | $53,390 | -2% | #51 of 86 | #62 | $25,000 |
| Sociology | $35,136 | $53,387 | +1% | #207 of 462 | #322 | $12,500 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study data. Earnings are for graduates who received federal aid and were working; small programs are not reported.
The San Diego State University Town Property Report
- Top nearby ZIP by cap rate: 92108 (4.1% cap, San Diego)
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🏆 Where San Diego State University Ranks
Rankings based on Repit College Grade among schools offering each program.
Costs & Financial Aid
Tuition & Fees
| Category | In-State | Out-of-State |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $5,742 | $17,622 |
| Room | $14,344 | |
| Board | $7,080 | |
| Total Cost (On-Campus) | $34,072 | $45,952 |
Financial Aid
Net Price by Family Income
| Family Income | Average Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,655 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,241 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,205 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,176 |
| $110,001+ | $24,913 |
Programs & Career Paths
Top Degree Programs
Programs ranked by number of degrees awarded annually.
Related Career Paths
Careers that graduates from San Diego State University's top programs commonly pursue.
Student Demographics
👥 Race & Ethnicity
🏠 Living Arrangements
💻 Learning Mode
📊 Age Distribution
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at San Diego State University?
How much does it cost to attend San Diego State University?
What is the graduation rate at San Diego State University?
Is San Diego State University a good school?
- Outcomes (A): Graduation and retention rates
- Affordability (C): Net cost and financial aid access
- Resources (C+): Class sizes and selectivity
- Experience (B+): Campus life and learning format
- Prestige (B+): Reputation and recognition
How many students attend San Diego State University?
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🎓 Similar Colleges to San Diego State University
Compare with other 4-Year public institutions of similar size.
Data source: IPEDS 2023-24 | Last updated: October 2026 | Methodology