At $16,174/yr net price, San Diego State University graduates earn $64,909/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $30,909/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,174 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $64,696 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $64,909/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$30,909/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 78.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,655/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,241/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,205/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,176/yr |
| $110,001+ | $24,913/yr |
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 |
| Finance and Financial Management Services. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Clinical, Counseling and Applied Psychology. | Master | $76,460 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | 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 |
The Risk Factor
78.3% of students at San Diego State University graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 22% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
San Diego State gives you a strong financial return. You graduate with a $15,000 median debt against $64,909 in median earnings a decade out, and 90% of freshmen come back for a second year. Low debt plus a 78% graduation rate means the odds are on your side that you finish and don't drown in loans.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays about $87,000 ten years out, roughly $15,000 more than the next best program, and its debt load stays in line with the rest of the school. The engineering track pays well too: construction engineering technologies, computer engineering, and electrical engineering all clear $69,000. Computer science rounds out the top five near $66,000 with debt under $17,000. These are the majors that turn San Diego living costs into a workable equation.
The main risk is San Diego itself. The region is expensive, and if you land in a lower-paying major, your earnings may not stretch far against local rent. The listed high-earners are all in health and engineering, so if those fields don't fit you, you carry more of the cost burden without the salary to offset it.
Net price scales sharply with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $9,655 a year. over $110,000, that climbs to $24,913. The jump between the $48-75k and $75-110k tiers is the steepest, so middle-income families feel the cost most.
This school fits you if you're headed into nursing, engineering, or computer science and qualify for aid at the lower income tiers. If you're paying the top-tier price for a major outside those fields, run the numbers hard before committing, because the San Diego cost of living won't do you any favors.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Diego State University worth the cost?
SDSU offers solid value with a net price of $16,174 and median debt of just $15,000, while graduates earn $64,909 ten years after enrollment. The combination of relatively low debt and decent earnings makes it a reasonable investment for most students.
What are the highest paying majors at San Diego State University?
Nursing programs at SDSU lead earnings with graduates making $87,000-$104,000 annually. Psychology, finance, and computer science majors also perform well with median earnings around $76,460.
How much debt do San Diego State University graduates have?
SDSU graduates have a median debt of $15,000, which is lower than the national average. This manageable debt load helps make the degree financially viable even for moderate earners.
Does San Diego State University have good job placement after graduation?
With a 78% graduation rate and median earnings of $64,909 ten years post-enrollment, SDSU produces employable graduates. The strong performance of nursing and business programs particularly helps overall employment outcomes.