SDSU GPA Requirements: A Comprehensive Guide to Admission
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a popular choice for students seeking higher education. Understanding SDSU's admission requirements, particularly the GPA expectations, is crucial for prospective students. This article breaks down the GPA requirements, along with other factors that influence admission, providing a comprehensive guide for those aiming to become Aztecs.
Understanding SDSU's Selectivity
The acceptance rate at SDSU is 36%, indicating that it is a very selective institution. To increase your chances of acceptance, it’s important to meet or exceed their GPA and standardized test score expectations.
GPA Requirements: What You Need to Know
SDSU is an impacted campus with a competitive applicant pool. The average high school GPA for admitted students is 3.9. This signifies that successful applicants typically have grades near the top of their class, with transcripts showing mostly A's. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.84, a higher SAT or ACT score can compensate.
Maintaining your reported overall GPA is essential after the application period ends. Admission decisions are initially based on self-reported data on the application, so it’s important to provide complete and accurate information, such as high school GPA, course titles, and grades.
Standardized Testing Policies: SAT and ACT
SAT
SDSU hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores, it's likely test flexible. The 25th percentile SAT score is 1130, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1340. Aiming for a score within or above this range can significantly improve your admission chances.
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SDSU uses "superscoring," meaning they consider the highest section scores from all your SAT test dates. You can take the SAT as many times as you want and submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. If your SAT superscore is currently below a 1340, it's recommended to consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it. Focus your energy on a single section at a time to maximize your score.
ACT
The average ACT score at SDSU is 26, with the 25th percentile at 23 and the 75th percentile at 29. Even though SDSU likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 23 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application.
When sending ACT scores, you have control over which tests you send. Aim for the school's ACT requirement of 29 and above and take the ACT as many times as you can to achieve this score. By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT.
SAT Essay/ACT Writing Section
SDSU considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.
Holistic Review: Beyond GPA and Test Scores
While strong academic scores are critical, rounding out the rest of your application is also important. Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements.
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Application Requirements and Deadlines
Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. Note that their application window is narrower than many schools -- applications are only accepted between October 1 and November 30. Also, you will be applying to a major and will be ranked against other students applying in that major.
Applications are accepted October 1-December 1, 2025.
Freshman Admission Requirements
To meet minimum admission requirements, you must complete a 15-unit comprehensive pattern of college preparatory courses (known in California as A-G requirements) with grades of C- or higher. Acceptable courses must include substantial reading of classic/modern literature and writing of structured papers.
Acceptable courses include algebra I, algebra II, geometry, and other advanced courses that require algebra and geometry as prerequisites. Must include one year of biological science and one year of physical science. Must be the same language. Must be a year-long visual and performing arts course selected from visual art, dance, drama/theatre, or music.
You must choose a major when you apply to SDSU. All majors are competitive, and every major has more applicants than available spots (impaction).
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Nursing applicants must earn a B or better grade in high school intermediate algebra, biology, and chemistry with lab courses for consideration. If AP or IB level courses are taken in these areas, you must earn a B or better grade in the course. Preference is given to applicants who have taken and earned strong grades in science and mathematics courses. Admission to the Direct Entry Nursing program is highly competitive.
Required Documents
- Unofficial transcripts
- Credit card
- Annual income (If you are a dependent, then report your parents' income)
- Your parents' employment background and two recommendations
As a first-year applicant, you have the option to choose an alternate major on the Cal State Apply application.
Admission decisions are initially based on self-reported data on the application, so we do not need your transcripts until after you are admitted. You must provide complete and accurate information on your application, such as high school GPA, course titles, and grades.
Additional Requirements
All first-year students who graduate from a high school outside of SDSU's local admission area during spring 2026 will be required to live on campus for two years. First year and second year students who live in SDSU campus housing are proven to academically outperform their peers who live off campus.
Admission for Post-Baccalaureate and Graduate Study
Admission to San Diego State University for post-baccalaureate and graduate study is open to those applicants judged by the university to be fully qualified. The process is competitive, and the requirements listed are only the minimum required for admission to the university. Many programs have established additional requirements. Prospective applicants should refer to the departmental listings in this catalog. Students are also advised to contact the departmental offices as soon as graduate work is contemplated for advice as to how to proceed.
Undergraduate Application Requirements
Prospective students applying for part-time or full-time undergraduate programs of study must submit a completed undergraduate application. Requirements for admission to San Diego State University are in accordance with Title 5, Chapter 1, Subchapter 3, of the California Code of Regulations. The $70 nonrefundable application fee is required upon submission and may not be transferred or used to apply to another term. It is essential that the application be filled out completely and accurately.
Applicants may be assured of admission if the evaluation of relevant qualifications indicates that applicants meet CSU admission requirements, and in the case of admission impaction, supplemental criteria for admission to an impacted program. Each campus with impacted programs or class-level admission categories uses supplementary admission criteria in screening applicants.
All first-time freshmen applicants must have graduated from high school, have earned a Certificate of General Education Development (GED), or have passed the California High School Proficiency Examination (CHSPE). Students will be admitted to the premajor (including undeclared) in which they applied.
For fall admission, student must complete subject requirements by the spring term before enrolling at SDSU. San Diego State University requires that first-time freshman applicants complete, with grades of C- or better, a comprehensive pattern of college preparatory study totaling 15 units.
Graduates of secondary schools in foreign countries must be judged to have equivalent academic preparation and abilities equivalent to applicants eligible under this section. All first-time freshman applicants who receive an offer of admissions are admitted provisionally.
The California Promise Program
The California Promise Program enables a specific number of CSU campuses to establish pledge programs for entering first-time students who are both interested and able to complete baccalaureate degrees in four years. All campuses have established programs for students with Associate Degrees for Transfer from any California Community College to complete their baccalaureate degrees in two years.
Students who commit to enter either the four-year or two-year pledge will be given a priority registration appointment for each state-supported enrollment period and will be provided with routine and thorough academic advisement. In order to remain in the program, students must meet with their advisers as prescribed, develop an enrollment plan, and complete 30 semester units or the quarter equivalent within each academic year, including summer. Participating campuses may stipulate other requirements as well.
Special Programs
High school students may be considered for enrollment in certain special programs if recommended by the principal and the appropriate campus department chair and if preparation is equivalent to that required of eligible California high school graduates.
Students who have completed 60 or more transferable semester college units (90 or more quarter units) are considered upper division transfer students. Students who complete college units during high school or through the summer immediately following high school graduation are considered first-time freshmen and must meet those admission requirements. Transferable courses are those designated for baccalaureate credit by the college or university offering the courses.
Transfer Students
San Diego State University is not accepting applications from lower division transfer students. A student is considered an upper division transfer student if he/she has completed 60 or more semester units (or 90 or more quarter units) of transferable baccalaureate-level college work.
All students who are admitted to SDSU are admitted to a premajor. Apply during the CSU initial admission application filing period, October/November for fall admission in the following year. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units by the end of spring 2023. Complete all major preparation courses listed in the SDSU University Catalog by the end of the spring term prior to fall admission. Meet the cumulative grade point average (GPA) required for the major as listed in the SDSU University Catalog. For non-SDSU service area* applicants, an additional overall GPA will be required. Local, service-area* applicants who meet the criteria listed above and who meet the cumulative GPA required for the major will have admission priority for fall 2023.
CCC students who earn an Associate Degree for Transfer (AA-T or AS-T) are guaranteed admission with junior standing to a CSU and given priority admission over other transfer applicants when applying to a local CSU campus, or non-impacted CSU program. AA-T or AS-T admission applicants are given limited priority consideration based on their eligibility ranking to an impacted campus/program or to campuses/programs that have been deemed similar to the degree completed at the community college. Students who have completed an AA-T/AS-T in a program deemed similar to a CSU major are able to complete remaining requirements for graduation within 60 semester (90 quarter) units.
Transfer admission decisions are based on self-reported information. Admission is provisional pending verification of the self-reported information on the applicant’s Cal State Apply using the official transcript submitted to the Office of Admissions.
Courses taken at a regionally accredited college or university and designated as appropriate for baccalaureate credit by that institution will be accepted by San Diego State University for credit toward transfer admission. Courses completed at institutions without regional accreditation or taken at a regionally accredited institution as part of a professional program, i.e., medical, dental, legal, veterinary, optical, etc. are not normally accepted by San Diego State University.
Adult Students
Has not been enrolled in college as a full-time student for more than one term during the past five years. Test results verifying completion of the current San Diego State University mathematics and writing competency requirements.
Applicants seeking admission as an adult student must submit a statement of no more than two pages describing the alternate preparation which the applicant feels has prepared him or her for successful university work. The statement should also describe the applicant’s educational goals and what preparation has been made to pursue these goals.
International Students
All undergraduate applicants, whose native language is not English, and who have not attended schools at the secondary level or above for at least three years of full-time study (only transferable courses count toward a student’s full-time status) where English is the principal language of instruction, must present a score of 550 or higher (using the paper version) or 80 or higher (using the Internet version) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or 6.5 or better on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or 58 or higher on the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) or score of 105 or higher on the Duolingo English Test.
SDSU uses separate requirements in the admission of international students. SDSU will begin accepting applications for admission from first-time freshmen and upper division transfer students (60 or more transferable semester units, or 90 or more transferable quarter units) and applicants seeking a second bachelor’s degree in nursing on October 1.
First-time freshmen international applicants must apply between October 1 and April 1. Transfer international applicants must apply between October 1 and November 30. Applicants must submit official transcripts/grade reports for each year of study completed (i.e., grades 9-12 or grades 10-12) to the SDSU Office of Admissions. Applicants must also submit a certified copy of diploma or graduation certificate, if earned. If the transcript or academic record is not issued in English, applicant will be required to send a certified literal English translation of each document, which can come directly from the school itself or from a professional, certified translator. The translation must contain all information shown on the original language document. Applicants who have international coursework must submit an International Evaluation Service Report to SDSU.
Special Majors
Music and dance majors that meet the CSU admissions requirement must successfully pass an audition for acceptance to the major and the university. Nursing majors transferring from two-year or four-year colleges/ universities, or those seeking a second bachelor’s degree, must complete the Cal State Apply application.
Required Transcripts
File Official Transcripts. Transcripts from EACH college attended (including extension, correspondence, summer session, evening, and out-of-country courses), even if no courses were completed. Graduate students must file recently issued transcripts (printed within the last year) if they plan to enter a master’s degree or credential program. Electronic transcripts are required from many colleges.
Military Service
Photostat or true copy of the military separation form DD-214 (or equivalent), DD-295, Joint Service Transcripts (JST) if applicant has had active military service.
For a hard copy transcript to be official, it must bear the high school or college seal and remain in its original sealed envelope.
Appeals
Section 89030.7 of the California Education Code requires that the CSU establishes specific requirements for appeal procedures for a denial of admission. Each CSU campus must publish appeal procedures for applicants denied admission to the university. All appeals must be received by SDSU within 30 days of date of the denied notification from the SDSU Office of Admissions. Students who were denied admission may only submit one appeal per admission term.
To have an appeal reviewed, students must submit a complete packet which includes the following: admissions appeal request form, letter addressing the basis of the appeal, and supporting documentation. Appeal decisions will be provided within twelve weeks of submission of a complete appeal package.
Criteria differ for students who left the university in good academic standing versus those who left on academic probation or who were academically disqualified. Students who have been disqualified twice from SDSU will not be considered for reinstatement.
Admission of International Students
San Diego State University offers opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study to international students whose academic preparation meets the standards for admission.
Transferring to SDSU
To have a shot at transferring into SDSU, you should have a current GPA of at least 3.7 - ideally you’re GPA will be around 3.85. In addition, you will need to submit standardized test scores. San Diego State University (SDSU)’s average SAT score is 1110.
Transfer admission minimum requirements for admission consideration are outlined below. Complete 60 or more transferable semester (or 90 or more quarter) units. Transferable units are defined as course units that are applicable to a baccalaureate degree and do not include non-degree credit courses that are developmental, remedial, technical or professional in nature. Complete a minimum of 30 units of General Education (which include the Golden Four courses listed above).
SDSU General Education Pattern: This option is commonly used by students majoring in engineering, liberal studies and nursing, and all students outside of the California community college system. Graduation requirements may be different based on the catalog in effect at the time you enroll at SDSU. If applicable, maintain a 2.0 or higher GPA for any SDSU Regular Session, Special Session, Open University or Cross Enrollment coursework.
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