Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 78.1%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 78.3%
- Retention Rate
- 90.3%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $64,909
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $15,000
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 22:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 66.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $159/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Master | $104,192 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $87,377 | $17,375 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $72,231 | |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Doctoral | $71,575 | $74,580 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $70,456 | $17,249 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Master | $70,456 | $38,020 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $69,757 | $17,999 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $68,499 | $55,840 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $67,995 | $24,662 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Master | $67,899 | $20,000 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $66,318 | $16,866 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas. | Master | $65,486 | $13,666 |
Outcomes Overview
SDSU graduates earn a median of $64,909 ten years after graduation, creating a favorable debt-to-earnings ratio of just 23% with typical debt loads of $15,000. Monthly loan payments of $159 represent only 3% of median income, well below financial advisors' recommended 10% threshold. The university's strong business programs feed graduates into California's tech, finance, and entertainment industries, while its San Diego location provides access to biotech and defense contractors. With a 93.4% employment rate and a 66.2% loan repayment rate, SDSU delivers solid career preparation. The combination of relatively low debt, strong earnings potential, and excellent job prospects makes this a strong return on investment for most students.