San Diego State University
San Diego State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
San Diego State University at a Glance
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1897, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system. SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego; its academic roots were established as a normal school in University Heights, then known as the San Diego Normal School. In the fall of 2025, the university enrolled a record 41,184 students.
1897
129 years old
$457M
$456.6 million (2023–24)
38,369
33,839 undergrad · 4,557 grad
2,171
280 acres
Identity
How to Apply to San Diego State University
Official admissions page$70
Is San Diego State University Worth It?
San Diego State University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $15,364/year net price and $64,909 median earnings, graduates earn 4.2× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.9 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 77% graduation rate means roughly 23% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Bottom line: San Diego State University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How San Diego State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #12 of 19 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | University of California-Davis | 100 | $14,741 | $80,838 |
| #2 | University of California-Irvine | 100 | $14,251 | $80,735 |
| #3 | University of South Florida | 100 | $9,812 | $57,743 |
| #4 | University of Georgia | 100 | $13,936 | $68,726 |
| #5 | University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign | 100 | $14,355 | $81,054 |
| #6 | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | 100 | $14,091 | $78,466 |
| #12 | San Diego State University | 82 | $15,364 | $64,909 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of San Diego State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 3 in CA.
Best Programs at San Diego State University
The highest-earning program at San Diego State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $85,200/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft at $20,300/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from San Diego State University earns $85,200, while a Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft graduate earns $20,300. That's more than a 2× difference from the same institution. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $19,122 in median debt vs. $14,923 for Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $15,364/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $85,200 | $85,200 | $19,122 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $68,400 | $68,400 | $16,441 |
| Computer Science | $64,800 | $64,800 | $14,239 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $63,300 | $63,300 | $19,788 |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $62,200 | $62,200 | $22,488 |
| Civil Engineering | $61,400 | $61,400 | $19,286 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $55,000 | $55,000 | $17,999 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $51,500 | $51,500 | $14,996 |
| Marketing | $43,500 | $43,500 | $15,899 |
| International Business | $42,300 | $42,300 | $14,069 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $41,100 | $41,100 | $15,498 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $41,000 | $41,000 | $17,060 |
| Chemistry | $39,500 | $39,500 | $14,996 |
| Economics | $38,400 | $38,400 | $14,158 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $36,500 | $36,500 | $14,997 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $36,100 | $36,100 | $13,615 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $35,600 | $35,600 | $15,605 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $35,300 | $35,300 | $18,137 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $33,500 | $33,500 | $15,000 |
| Social Work | $32,000 | $32,000 | $13,268 |
| Biology, General | $31,000 | $31,000 | $17,998 |
| Public Administration | $30,500 | $30,500 | $12,309 |
| Political Science and Government | $29,200 | $29,200 | $16,803 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $29,000 | $29,000 | $15,252 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $28,600 | $28,600 | $14,888 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $28,500 | $28,500 | $18,977 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $28,000 | $28,000 | $11,999 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $27,700 | $27,700 | $18,946 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $27,400 | $27,400 | $18,747 |
| Sociology | $26,900 | $26,900 | $14,739 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $26,000 | $26,000 | $19,461 |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $25,500 | $25,500 | $15,906 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $25,300 | $25,300 | $12,497 |
| Anthropology | $24,100 | $24,100 | $15,123 |
| Psychology, General | $23,700 | $23,700 | $14,998 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $23,700 | $23,700 | $14,997 |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $22,900 | $22,900 | $12,999 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $21,600 | $21,600 | $13,660 |
| Social Sciences, General | $21,300 | $21,300 | $16,721 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $21,000 | $21,000 | $13,999 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $20,300 | $20,300 | $14,923 |
Similar Colleges in CA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- San Diego, CA
- Student Body
- 35,377 students
- Admission Rate
- 36%
- Graduation Rate
- 77%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $15,364
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $64,909
- Median Student Debt
- $15,000