San Jose State University
San Jose State University — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
San Jose State University at a Glance
San José State University is a public research university in San Jose, California, United States. Established in 1857 as the state's first normal school, it is the oldest public university in the western United States and is the founding campus of the California State University system.
1857
169 years old
$265M
$264.6 million (2025–26)
37,661
27,354 undergrad · 5,468 grad
2,177
154 acres
Identity
Is San Jose State University Worth It?
San Jose State University is one of the strongest value propositions in higher education. At $13,760/year net price and $78,988 median earnings, graduates earn 5.7× their annual cost within a decade of enrolling.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 67% graduation rate means roughly 33% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
Median student debt of $15,000 is manageable at just 19% of first-year post-graduation earnings.
Bottom line: San Jose State University delivers strong financial returns that justify the investment for most students.
How San Jose State University compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CA
Ranked #5 of 35 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 | California State University-San Bernardino | 100 | $4,564 | $59,977 |
| #2 | California State Polytechnic University-Pomona | 100 | $11,531 | $71,902 |
| #3 | California State University-Fullerton | 100 | $6,555 | $62,951 |
| #4 | California State University-Sacramento | 97 | $9,338 | $64,876 |
| #5 | San Jose State University | 96 | $13,760 | $78,988 |
| #6 | University of Illinois Chicago | 95 | $10,974 | $68,740 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of San Jose State University's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in CA.
Best Programs at San Jose State University
The highest-earning program at San Jose State University is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $89,400/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at $25,700/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from San Jose State University earns $89,400, while a Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities graduate earns $25,700. 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 $13,750 in median debt vs. $17,150 for Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,760/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 | $89,400 | $89,400 | $13,750 |
| Computer Engineering | $78,500 | $78,500 | $22,621 |
| Computer Science | $75,000 | $75,000 | $17,000 |
| Civil Engineering | $72,100 | $72,100 | $17,000 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $69,700 | $69,700 | $17,125 |
| Mechanical Engineering | $62,600 | $62,600 | $16,500 |
| Management Information Systems and Services | $54,800 | $54,800 | $13,750 |
| Chemical Engineering | $53,900 | $53,900 | $18,250 |
| Design and Applied Arts | $53,400 | $53,400 | $22,617 |
| Human Resources Management and Services | $51,000 | $51,000 | $12,974 |
| Accounting and Related Services | $50,800 | $50,800 | $11,962 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $50,700 | $50,700 | $14,007 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $47,700 | $47,700 | $14,700 |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $47,100 | $47,100 | $17,625 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $46,200 | $46,200 | $18,875 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $46,000 | $46,000 | $16,168 |
| Marketing | $44,700 | $44,700 | $15,000 |
| Biochemistry, Biophysics and Molecular Biology | $44,000 | $44,000 | $18,688 |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $43,600 | $43,600 | $17,199 |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $41,000 | $41,000 | $15,000 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $39,900 | $39,900 | $14,000 |
| Biology, General | $39,200 | $39,200 | $19,000 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences, Other | $38,900 | $38,900 | $14,750 |
| Economics | $38,500 | $38,500 | $12,475 |
| International Business | $38,100 | $38,100 | $15,122 |
| Sociology | $38,000 | $38,000 | $13,000 |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $37,600 | $37,600 | $15,023 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $36,900 | $36,900 | $15,538 |
| Psychology, Other | $35,600 | $35,600 | $21,736 |
| Social Work | $35,300 | $35,300 | $12,750 |
| Psychology, General | $35,100 | $35,100 | $15,240 |
| Political Science and Government | $34,200 | $34,200 | $19,250 |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services | $32,800 | $32,800 | $22,000 |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $30,900 | $30,900 | $13,000 |
| English Language and Literature, General | $30,200 | $30,200 | $15,250 |
| Journalism | $30,000 | $30,000 | $15,883 |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $29,900 | $29,900 | $15,646 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | $29,300 | $29,300 | $16,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $25,700 | $25,700 | $17,150 |
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Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- San Jose, CA
- Student Body
- 27,601 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 67%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,760
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $78,988
- Median Student Debt
- $15,000