San Diego, CA · 35.4k students
Trajecta score
+1.0 since '20Ranked #118 of 2,375
5-year trend
65.3 · #115
2020
68.1 · #93
2021
66.8 · #104
2022
66.5 · #119
2023
66.3 · #115
2024
Academic Profile
61/ 100
Career Outcomes
69/ 100
Student Success
68/ 100
Affordability
78/ 100
Academic Investment
67/ 100
Access & Equity
54/ 100
Academic Profile
61
Career Outcomes
69
Student Success
68
Affordability
78
Academic Investment
67
Access & Equity
54
AI Fit Analysis
Unlock your AI fit analysis
See how your profile stacks up at San Diego State University — predicted chances, program fit, and a personalized application strategy.
Sign up freeAlready have an account? Log in
Cost / Net Price
$28k / $15k
SAT Avg
—
Retention
91%
Grad Rate
77%
Admissions
Finances
Tuition
In-State Tuition
$8,728
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$21,328
per year
Out-of-state premium: +$12,600/yr
Aid & Debt
Pell Grant Share
32%
undergraduates receiving Pell
Federal Loan Share
23%
students borrowing
Median Debt
among completers
$15,000
Admissions Factors
Self-reported by the school in its Common Data Set (section C7) — the school's own statement of which application factors matter in its admissions decisions.
3.84
average high school GPA of enrolled freshmen · 100% reporting
Source: Common Data Set 2024-2025, what San Diego State University reports weighing in admissions.
| Factor | Very Important | Important | Considered | Not Considered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rigor of secondary school record | Rigor of secondary school record: Very Important | |||
| Class rank | Class rank: Not Considered | |||
| Academic GPA | Academic GPA: Very Important | |||
| Standardized test scores | Standardized test scores: Not Considered | |||
| Application essay | Application essay: Not Considered | |||
| Recommendation(s) | Recommendation(s): Not Considered | |||
| Interview | Interview: Not Considered | |||
| Extracurricular activities | Extracurricular activities: Not Considered | |||
| Talent/ability | Talent/ability: Not Considered | |||
| Character/personal qualities | Character/personal qualities: Not Considered | |||
| First generation | First generation: Not Considered | |||
| Alumni/ae relation | Alumni/ae relation: Not Considered | |||
| Geographical residence | Geographical residence: Considered | |||
| State residency | State residency: Considered | |||
| Religious affiliation/commitment | Religious affiliation/commitment: Not Considered | |||
| Volunteer work | Volunteer work: Not Considered | |||
| Work experience | Work experience: Not Considered | |||
| Level of applicant's interest | Level of applicant's interest: Not Considered |
Supplemental Essays · 2026-27
school's admissions site ↗San Diego State University requires no supplemental essays (2026-27, per the school's official site) — only the personal statement applies.
Drafting these? Write them with AI feedback in Trajecta →
Methodology
The Trajecta Score (0–100) blends six dimensions of public college data into one comparable number, then nudges it by how much data each school reports. Selectivity tiers are separate — they’re based purely on a school’s admission rate.
Read the full methodologyMedian earnings 10 years out, earnings vs. a high-school grad, and loan repayment.
Admission selectivity and the incoming class’s SAT / ACT scores.
Average net price after aid and the typical debt of graduates.
Graduation rate and first-year retention.
Instructional spending and faculty salaries per student.
Share of Pell-grant students and reliance on federal loans.
Data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and IPEDS. Figures are the most recent reported and may lag a year or two. This tool is read-only and not personalized — inside the Trajecta app, scores are tailored to your profile as a fit score.
Share this score card
Download San Diego State University's Trajecta Score as an image.
Neighbors in California, plus the closest schools nationally by Trajecta Score.
Pitzer College
Claremont, CA
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, CA
Soka University of America
Aliso Viejo, CA
Occidental College
Los Angeles, CA
University of San Diego
San Diego, CA
University of the Pacific
Stockton, CA
Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr, PA
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
Troy, NY
Berea College
Berea, KY