SDSU Student Enrollment Statistics: A Comprehensive Overview

San Diego State University (SDSU), founded in 1897, stands as a major public research institution, offering transformative experiences to over 36,000 students. Recognized for academic excellence and a commitment to diversity and inclusion, SDSU holds the No. 1 rank in the California State University (CSU) system for federal research output. As a long-standing Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) residing on Kumeyaay land, SDSU is dedicated to providing a wide array of opportunities for its students.

A Hub of Academic Excellence and Innovation

SDSU is nationally recognized for its academic excellence and is considered to be among the top Best Value colleges. The university provides endless possibilities for students, including bachelor’s degrees in 97 areas, master’s degrees in 84 fields, and 23 doctoral degrees. Students, faculty, and alumni have been part of research teams that addressed important subjects like driver distraction, the effect of chemical contaminants on human health, sustainable agriculture, early childhood development, combating food insecurity, aircraft design, and more.

SDSU has a world-renowned international business program along with an exceptional engineering program. SDSU is also a hub of student invention and innovation, led by the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and Zahn Innovation Platform. News and World Report ranked SDSU No. 30 in the nation for entrepreneurship.

The combination of experiential learning opportunities and a unique blend of coursework enables students to adopt innovative thinking and develop the competencies needed to succeed in today’s society, regardless of their educational field.

SDSU strives to help all students find their dream careers through a multitude of internships, mentoring programs, and career fairs with on- and off-campus employers.

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Campus Life and Environment

SDSU distinguishes itself through its study abroad initiatives, veterans programs, support of LGBTQIA+ students, and Division I athletics program. The university fosters an inclusive environment with a diverse range of programs and offerings, with students having access to more than 300 student clubs and organizations.

The university was named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT Into Diversity for its commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout the campus community, academic programs, and administration. The campus is located near the Gaslamp Quarter and downtown neighborhoods, as well as the beach towns of Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and La Jolla.

San Diego itself offers a wide array of social, cultural, and recreational activities, allowing individuals to experience diverse environments within a single day.

Enrollment Overview

In 2023, San Diego State University had a total enrollment of 39,241 students. Of these, 33,376 were full-time students, constituting 85.1% of the student body, while 5,865 students were enrolled part-time. This signifies a strong preference for full-time enrollment compared to similar Doctoral Universities.

Diversity in Enrollment

The enrolled student population at San Diego State University is notably diverse:

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35.6% Hispanic or Latino
33.6% White
12.9% Asian
6.69% Two or More Races
3.66% Black or African American
0.303% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders
0.232% American Indian or Alaska Native

This diverse representation extends to both undergraduate and graduate programs. Specifically, full-time undergraduate programs are predominantly composed of Hispanic or Latino females (21.2%), followed by White females (20.1%) and White males (14.8%). In full-time graduate programs, Hispanic or Latino females also constitute the largest group (25.9%), followed by White females (20.4%) and Hispanic or Latino males (10%).

Admissions and Acceptance Rate

In 2023, San Diego State University received 82,800 undergraduate applications, marking a 7.18% annual growth. The university accepted 28,517 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 34.4%. This acceptance rate is lower than the 39.3% recorded in 2022. The university has an overall enrollment yield of 21.6%, indicating the percentage of admitted students who chose to enroll.

85% of first-time enrollees submitted SAT scores with their applications.

Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid

College education is a valuable investment. In 2023, the median undergraduate tuition at San Diego State University is $5,742, which is $−25,261 less than the national average for Doctoral Universities ($31,004). After factoring in grants and loans, the average net price for students is $19,500.

Financial Aid Statistics

In 2023, 88% of undergraduate students received financial aid through grants, while 23% received financial aid through loans. This represents a growth of 44.3% with respect to 2022, when 61% of undergraduate students received financial aid.

Other Expenses

The average yearly cost of room and board at San Diego State University was $17,929 in 2023, representing a 3.32% increase from the previous year. Additionally, the average yearly cost of books and supplies was $1,146, an increase of 5.04% during the same period.

Graduation and Degree Statistics

In 2023, San Diego State University awarded 10,849 degrees across all undergraduate and graduate programs. Of these, 60.4% were awarded to women, and 39.6% to men, with 2,249 more women than men receiving degrees. The most common race/ethnicity group of degree recipients was white (3,795 degrees), followed closely by hispanic or latino (3,742 degrees).

Time to Completion

In 2023, 48% of students graduating from San Diego State University completed their program within 100% "normal time" (i.e. 4 years for a 4-year degree). Comparatively, 76% completed their degrees within 150% of the normal time, and 77% within 200%.

Graduation Rate by Race and Sex

The student demographic with the highest graduation rate in 2023 at San Diego State University is Female and Asian (89.8% graduation rate).

Most Common Majors

In 2023, the most common majors at San Diego State University were:

General Business Administration & Management (2,008 degrees awarded)
Communication and Media Studies (646 degrees awarded)
Psychology (415 degrees awarded)

The most specialized majors across all degree types are Communications (591 degrees awarded), Parks, Recreation, & Leisure (378 degrees), and Social Sciences (830 degrees).

Career Paths of Graduates

Graduates from SDSU's specialized majors pursue various career paths across different industries. Common jobs include Other managers, Software developers, Lawyers, & judges, magistrates, & other judicial workers, Miscellaneous engineers, including nuclear engineers, and Civil engineers. The most common industries for these graduates are uninformed, Computer Systems Design, Elementary & secondary schools, Colleges, universities & professional schools, including junior colleges, and Architectural, engineering & related services.

Rankings and Recognition

SDSU has garnered recognition in various rankings:

The Center For World University Rankings places San Diego State University at #376 globally and #126 nationally as of 2017.
SDSU is ranked fifth in Sports Management; 23rd in the MBA/MA in Latin American Studies; and 46th in the MBA/Juris Doctor program by Eduniversal for each programs' international outreach and reputation in 2011.
Modern Healthcare ranked SDSU second for graduate schools for physician executives in relation to their Master in Public Health program.

Facilities and Infrastructure

SDSU's campus includes various notable facilities:

Hardy Memorial Tower
Hepner Hall
Malcolm A. Love Library
Scripps Cottage
Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union
Storm and Nasatir Halls
Tony Gwynn Stadium

SDSU's Commitment to Sustainability

In 2016, San Diego State University's Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union achieved LEED Double Platinum status, joining an elite group of energy-efficient buildings.

Financial Resources

The financial endowment of SDSU is valued at $495.6 million as of 2021. For the 2004-2005 academic year, SDSU received over US$157 million in external funding from grants and contracts, as well as an additional US$57 million in donations and charitable giving.

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