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Colleges / San Diego State University

San Diego State University

San Diego, CA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate38%
Acceptance Rate38%

SDSU Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at San Diego State University was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $17,622 a year for out-of-state students.

Usually, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If these numbers feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students owe far less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Plus, student loans can make thecost of college more manageable until you're done with college.

International students can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition at San Diego State University.

San Diego State University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

San Diego State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,742 for in-state students who attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a school where you are eligible for the reduced tuition offered to state residentscan save students a lot of money on the cost of tuition, as well as loans and interest owed. Be sure to check your state's requirements for as an in-state resident. Each state has different requirements to qualify as in-state resident. Most states require students to have resided in the state for a certain period of time before qualifying. There may be other criteria as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Tuition for International Students at San Diego State University

SDSU has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at San Diego State University usually pay around $17,622 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students are not eligible for federal financial aid, but should research private or SDSU-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may qualify for the following types of financial support at SDSU:

•SDSU-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.


San Diego State University Room, Board, Fees, and More


In addition to tuition, room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at SDSU.

Room and Board Costs at SDSU

Housing and campus dining at SDSU costs $20,902 a year. This includes the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, plus a dining plan that allows you to eat all or some of your meals the school dining halls.

Board costs can depend on the numnber of meals you intend to eat on-campus

Cost of Books at SDSU

The cost of books often surprises first-year college students. The actual cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Yearly Fees

The majority of colleges also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the library, gym and computer labs.

There may be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like Greek Life, or participating in sports or other extracurriculars. Most colleges have ways so that those with demonstrated need to get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The total cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Is on-campus parking free, or will you need to budget for parking? Is the campus easy to get around on foot? Do you own a car, or will you need to use public transportation? All of these questions can make a big difference in your transportation budget. At SDSU, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

The location of a college or university can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in a city can be costly, but cities may offer more buses, trains and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. San Diego State Universityis in a urban setting in California, near San Diego.

Other Costs

When you're planning for college, be sure to consider personal expenses, like entertainment, clothes, furnishings and toiletries.


The Full Cost of Attending San Diego State University


Now, let’s do a rundown of all of the costs associated with college, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to SDSU.

Total Cost of SDSU

What will the cost of attending SDSU be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $5,742
Out-of-State Tuition $17,622
Room and Board $20,902
Other expenses $1,906

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

SDSU’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students


Financial Aid at San Diego State University


In 2022, 14,231 of the 30,865 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. SDSU meets 55% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $10,542 a year. Around 38% of SDSU undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. SDSU graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,552 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $17,845
SDSU-Specific Loans $9,087
Private Loans $36,837
Most Common Loans for SDSU Students
Federal Loans 37%
Private loans 4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on SDSU financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at San Diego State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, SDSU awarded 9,998 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $122.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $14.01 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

San Diego State University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for SDSU students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at SDSU was $10,542 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of SDSU seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $11,006
Net In-state, Off-campus $1,402
Out-of-State, On-Campus $33,428

What will attending SDSU really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families make more informed decisions about the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the SDSU's net cost calculator on their website.

San Diego State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

SDSU offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

SDSU Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes offer tuition waivers to certain groups, to make attending more affordable. Some colleges offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even with a tuition waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

SDSU has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About San Diego State University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about SDSU

SDSU Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$29,058

In State

$40,938

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$5,742
$17,622
Fees
$2,456
$2,456
Housing
$19,714
$19,714
Books
$1,146
$1,146

SDSU Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

36%

Average Financial Aid Package

$12,770

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

35,732

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

38%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$8,198

Out-of-State

$20,078

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Nov 30
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