San Diego State University

San Diego State is selective for a California State University campus, admitting about 37% of nearly 95,000 first-year applicants in the most recent cycle. Admission rests heavily on your weighted high school GPA and the rigor of your courses; enrolled first-years average about a 3.82, and two-thirds carried a 3.75 or higher.

Yes. SDSU does not consider SAT or ACT scores in admission, even if you submit them, so there is no score to study toward for your application. Scores can be used only for math and writing course placement after you enroll. That puts the full weight of the decision on your GPA and the difficulty of your coursework.

Aim well above a 3.5. Enrolled first-years average roughly a 3.82 GPA, and about 65% earned a 3.75 or higher in high school. There is no fixed cutoff, but because SDSU weighs GPA and course rigor as its two very important factors and ignores test scores entirely, your transcript carries the application.

Out-of-state applicants face a higher bar. Domestic students from outside California make up only about 21% of SDSU first-years, and both state residency and geographical residence are weighed in the review, so California residents hold an edge. Non-resident applicants generally need a stronger GPA to be competitive for a seat.

Annual tuition and required fees run about $9,662 for California residents and $23,792 for out-of-state students. Around 39% of first-years receive need-based grant or scholarship aid, with an average package near $17,270, and SDSU meets roughly 73% of demonstrated need on average.

Business and marketing is the largest field at about 24% of bachelor's degrees, followed by psychology and the social sciences at roughly 8% each. Engineering, communication, computer science, and the health professions round out the most-awarded areas.

No. SDSU follows the California State University model, where admission is driven by GPA and course rigor; the Cal State application does not ask for an essay or letters of recommendation for first-year admission, and the CDS lists both as not considered. Your energy is best spent on grades and a demanding senior-year schedule.