San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a public research university and the flagship of the southern California State University region, enrolling about 36,200 undergraduates a few miles east of downtown San Diego. It draws far more applicants than it can seat, admitting roughly 37% of nearly 95,000 first-year applicants, and as a Hispanic-Serving Institution it enrolls a student body that is about 37% Hispanic. Admission turns almost entirely on high school GPA and course rigor: SDSU is test-blind and does not consider SAT or ACT scores, and enrolled first-years carry an average GPA around 3.82. Business and marketing is the most popular field at roughly a quarter of bachelor's degrees.
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San Diego State admissions statistics
Acceptance Rate
Total applicants, admitted students, and enrolled students for the most recent admission cycle.
Early Admissions
San Diego State does not offer an Early Decision or Early Action plan; all applicants apply through Regular Decision.
Standardized Tests
San Diego State is test-free — SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admissions.
SAT / ACT scores are not used
San Diego State does not review SAT or ACT scores for admission, even if you submit them. Applicants are evaluated on GPA, coursework, essays, and activities instead.
Class Rank
Where San Diego State's enrolled first-years placed in their high school graduating class.
Based on the 29% of enrolled students who reported a class rank. San Diego State does not publish an average GPA.
Admissions Factors
How San Diego State weighs each part of your application.
Rigor of High School Record
Academic GPA
Standardized Test Scores
Application Essay
Recommendations
Extracurricular Activities
Character / Personal Qualities
Talent / Ability
First Generation
Level of Applicant's Interest
Class Rank
Volunteer Work
Work Experience
Geographical Residence
State Residency
Alumni Relation
Racial / Ethnic Status
Religious Affiliation
Cost of Attendance
Estimated full-time annual cost from San Diego State's Common Data Set. Only tuition changes with residency.
Out-of-state students pay $14,130 more — entirely in tuition. Room, board, and other costs are identical regardless of residency.
Financial Aid
Need-based aid statistics for full-time first-year students.
Major Distribution
Bachelor's degrees awarded in the past year by academic major.
Student Diversity
Racial and ethnic breakdown of enrolled undergraduate students.
Student-Faculty Ratio
The number of students for every one faculty member, indicating the average level of access students have to instructional staff.
Campus Life
On-campus housing and Greek life participation rates.
Enrollment by Gender
Since some students did not report gender, totals may not fully reflect the student body.
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Frequently asked questions about San Diego State admissions
How hard is it to get into San Diego State?＋
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.
Is San Diego State test-blind?＋
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.
What GPA do you need to get into SDSU?＋
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.
What are my chances of getting into SDSU from out of state?＋
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.
How much does San Diego State cost in-state vs. out-of-state?＋
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.
What are the most popular majors at San Diego State?＋
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.
Does San Diego State look at essays or recommendations?＋
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.
Source: San Diego State University Common Data Set 2025-2026. Figures transcribed 2026-06-11. Esslo aggregates publicly reported data and is not affiliated with San Diego State. Banner photo by Stuart Seeger, via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0).