San Diego State University
San Diego, United States
- Cost of Living$ 26,904
- Tuition Fee From$ 8,288
- Country Rank-
- Batch Strength31,221
- Global Diversity8%
- Gender Ratio56:44
Overview
About
Since its inception in 1897, San Diego State University has evolved into a premier public research university as well as a nationally recognised Hispanic-serving institution. It offers over 36,000 students the chance to engage in an academic programme defined by direct interaction with instructors and an international concentration that prepares them for a global future each year. It is San Diego's oldest higher education university, located on Kumeyaay soil about 30 minutes north of the US-Mexico border. Its community is truly committed to quality education, meaningful research, and service to the regional community as well as the individuals it helps across the state, nation, and internally.
The university provides 95 undergraduate degree programmes via the College of Arts & Letters, Fowler College of Business, Colleges of Education, Engineering, Health & Human Services, Professional Studies & Fine Arts, Sciences, and the Division of Undergraduate Studies, which houses the Weber Honors College. It offers students the framework they need to attain their full academic potential by combining the power of a research institution with a devoted staff that fosters innovation and discovery. Students have engaged in a strong academic curriculum taught by award-winning faculty for more than a century.
San Diego State University is a student-faculty ratio of 25:1 and 31.8% of its classes have less than 20 students. The institution has 30,865 undergraduate students (fall 2021), with 43% male students and 57% female students. At this institution, 19% of students reside in housing owned, maintained, or linked with the college, while 81% live off campus.
The university's objective is to offer undergraduate and graduate students with research-oriented, high-quality education and to contribute to problem-solving through excellence and distinction in teaching, research, and service. The community is dedicated to creating global citizens, compassionate leaders, and ethical innovators who will shape San Diego's and the world's future. It is globally known for its study abroad programmes, veterans' programmes, and support for LGBTQIA+ students, as well as its Division I athletics department. SDSU features a world-class international business curriculum as well as an outstanding engineering department.
Ranking
San Diego State University, situated in San Diego, USA, is a distinguished public university established in 1897. It offers a diverse range of courses spanning various disciplines, catering to students from around the globe. Recognized by THE (Times Higher Education) University Ranking, San Diego State University was ranked between 601-800 in 2023 among the world's top universities. According to the QS World University Ranking, in 2024, San Diego State University secured a ranking between 1001-1200. The university's ranking has remained steady, achieving between 1001-1200 in both 2023 and 2024 according to QS.
- #1001-1200 QS World University Ranking 2024
US News & World Report Ranking 2024
- #51 in Top Public Schools
- #178 in Best Value Schools
- #801-#1000 Times Higher Education (THE) University Ranking 2024
Course-Wise Rankings
In 2024, San Diego State University maintains a strong standing in various academic disciplines, reflected in its course-wise rankings. Across its diverse array of programmes, San Diego State University consistently excels in key areas such as engineering, business, social sciences, and health sciences. Given below are the SDSU course rankings by U.S. News and World Report in 2024:
- #90 in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programmes
- #86 in Nursing
- #112 in Economics
Year
QS Ranks
US News Ranks
2025
#1001 - 1200
-
2023
#1001 - 1200
#593
2022
#1001 - 1200
#593
Facilities
Numerous student services are provided by San Diego, including non-remedial tutoring, a women's centre, placement assistance, daycare, health services, and health insurance. San Diego State University facilities also include campus safety and security services such as 24-hour foot and vehicle patrols, late-night transportation and escort services, 24-hour emergency telephones, lighting walkways and paths, student patrols, and limited dormitory access (key, security card, etc.). The university's campus is home to a number of research facilities, including a combustion research lab and energy analysis diagnostics services. 350+ Clubs & Organizations, 47 Greek fraternities and sororities, and 19 NCAA Division I teams are also available. Students can find the following amenities at the university -
- Library
- Performing Arts Venue
- Student Health Centre
- Recreation Centre
- Athletic Venues
- Cultural Resources Centre
- Learning Centre
- International Student Services
Notable Alumni
Courses
Admission
SDSU Acceptance Rate:
San Diego State University's acceptance rate is 38%, indicating that admissions are more rigorous. It has a student-faculty ratio of 25:1 and 31.8% of its classes have less than 20 students. The institution has 30,865 undergraduate students (fall 2021), with 43% male students and 57% female students. At this institution, 19% of students reside in housing owned, maintained, or linked with the college, while 81% live off campus.
SDSU Entry Requirements
San Diego has a stringent admissions system and accepts applications from students from all around the world who meet the baseline standards. The university admissions authorities believe a student's GPA to be a critical academic consideration. The admissions officers do not examine an applicant's high school class rank or letters of reference. Students must, however, adhere to a set of San Diego State University entry requirements, which include -
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
- Official Academic transcripts
- Marks Sheets and Certificates
- GPA over 3.0 or as specified by the course
- Test score reports
- English proficiency score report: TOEFL score of 80; IELTS score of 6.5;
- PTE score of 58 or higher
- Duolingo score of 105 or higher
Postgraduate Entry Requirements
- 3-year bachelor’s degree from an international institution
- Official academic transcripts
- Proof of English language proficiency
- SOP
- Proof of financial sufficiency
- Standardized test scores required
- Formal interview
- Self-reported academic record
- Letters of recommendation
- Resume
San Diego State University English Proficiency Requirements
San Diego State University sets specific English language proficiency requirements for international applicants seeking admission to its programmes. Prospective students from non-English-speaking countries are typically required to demonstrate a certain level of English proficiency to ensure they can succeed academically in an English-language environment.
Test |
Score |
TOEFL iBT |
80 |
IELTS |
6.5 |
PTE |
58 |
SDSU Fees
SDSU’s estimated undergraduate tuition for the 2022-23 academic year is between $42,000 - $45,000. To compute non-resident tuition fees for graduate programmes, international students need to add $396 per unit. San Diego State University fees are less than the national average of $11,286 for in-state tuition. Scholarships such as the Presidential Scholars Program are available to international students. Accepted students in this programme may be eligible for a scholarship of up to USD 40,000.
- MS - $13.97 K - 22.42 K
- MBA/PGDM - $24.57 K
- MIM - $16.46 K - 27.33 K
- B.E./B.Tech - $20.14 K - 44.82 K
- BBA - $11.95 K - 20.52 K
- B.Sc. - $11.95 K - 43.62 K
- M.A. - $14.99 K - 19.91 K
- MEng - $16.04 K
- MFA - $21.62 K - 21.96 K
Placement
San Diego provides students with a variety of career-related programmes and resources. These are some examples -
- Career Counseling
- Workshops and career events
- Community engagement
- On-campus interviews and career fairs
Student clubs and organisations also arrange events such as mini career fairs, panels, and networking opportunities customised to certain majors, universities, or market segments. After graduation, 94% of MBA students made the best of San Diego State University placements and got full-time employment offers. MBA graduates received an average income of $79,000 USD. Hyundai, HP, Bank of America, Paypal, Pfizer, and other top firms have employed grads.
Scholarship
Regardless of the programme you are studying, there are several scholarship opportunities provided by San Diego State University as well as other organisations. With so many scholarships available now, overseas students can greatly lower the financial burden of studying in a new country. You can apply for scholarships to study at the San Diego State University through UniScholars. You can find the following types of scholarships based on your academic performance and financial situation:
- Merit-based scholarships
- Need-based scholarships
- Country-specific scholarships
- College-specific scholarships
- Student-specific scholarships
Finances
Most international students are obligated to show proof of sufficient funds in order to obtain a visa. While some students may have the opportunity to make use of scholarships, not all students cut the eligibility to get a scholarship or a grant. Moreover, not all scholarships cover 100% of your study abroad expenses. At such times, most students resort to acquiring education loans to avoid the financial hassles associated with studying at the university. For Indian students, UniCreds is the ideal education loan marketplace if you’re looking for low-interest rates and free consultation services!
Accommodation
There are several student housing options available for students planning to attend San Diego State University. You may select from a wide choice of affordable yet elegant student flats, halls of residence, studios, ensuites, and more! You have the option of staying on campus in the university halls of residence or in a private residence. Because of their proximity to the university, on-campus housing options may be ideal; nevertheless, they tend to fill up fast and are more expensive.
UniAcco simplifies the process of finding student housing and offers a variety of options. As a result, students can select from a wide range of available student accommodation near the San Diego State University, such as luxury studios, en-suites, and shared apartments that are more inexpensive and student-friendly.
Cost of Living
San Diego is a prominent city in the United States, and it is also recognised for its culture, customs, and work prospects that welcome expats and students for further education. The cost of living in San Diego for overseas students may appear daunting at first, but it requires much forethought for students to budget their spending ahead of time. To assist students, the following are the monthly living expenditures for international students in San Diego. -
Particulars |
Cost (Monthly) |
Off-Campus Accommodation |
$ 1542 |
On-Campus Accommodation |
$ 1059 |
Transportation |
$ 120 |
Food Cost |
$ 371 |
Utility Cost |
$ 178 |
Entertainment |
$ 60 |
Groceries |
$ 48 |
Clothes |
$ 101 |
Health Insurance |
$ 80 |
Total Cost of Living with Off Campus Accommodation |
$ 2500 |
Total Cost of Living with On Campus Accommodation |
$ 2017 |
Annual Cost of Living |
$ 30000 |