About San Jose State University
Students pay an average net price of $13,741 after financial aid, while in-state tuition runs just $7,992. Graduates earn a median of $78,988 ten years after graduation, making the modest debt load of $15,000 highly manageable with monthly payments of $159. The 96.1% employment rate shows employers actively recruit Spartan graduates.
The student body reflects Silicon Valley's diversity, with 39.11% Asian students and 31.93% Hispanic students creating a multicultural environment. Nearly 97% of students come from California, building strong in-state networks. With 480 student athletes competing across 18 Division I sports in the Mountain West Conference, school spirit runs strong. The 86.43% retention rate suggests students find their place among the Spartans.
Academics & Faculty
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 18:1
- Full-Time Faculty
- 43.6%
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 66.2%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 64.7%
- Retention Rate
- 86.4%
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $78,988
- Carnegie Classification
- Master's University (Large)
Popular Programs by Earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Engineering. | Master | $125,015 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $92,277 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Master | $87,973 |
| Educational Administration and Supervision. | Master | $86,550 |
| Biomedical/Medical Engineering. | Master | $84,653 |
| Computer Engineering. | Bachelor | $78,074 |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $77,401 |
| Computer Science. | Bachelor | $74,953 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,845 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $73,720 |
Campus Life
Year-round mild weather means you'll need sunscreen, not snow boots. Students bike between classes in shorts and hoodies most days. The 18 varsity sports teams compete as the Spartans, though many weekends revolve around networking events, hackathons, and exploring San Francisco just an hour north by train. The student body reflects Silicon Valley's diversity, with 39% Asian and 32% Hispanic students. With a 96% employment rate after graduation and median earnings hitting $78,988 within 10 years, students stay focused on building careers in tech while enjoying California's endless sunshine and proximity to both beaches and mountains.
- Setting
- City-Large
- Housing Capacity
- 4,261 beds
- Calendar System
- Semester
- Study Abroad
- Available
- Founded
- 1857
Campus Safety (2023)
171 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education
| Offense | On Campus | Residential | Noncampus | Public Property |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic Violence | 22 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Rape | 16 | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Stalking | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 15 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| Burglary | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 16 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fondling | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Arson | 9 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Robbery | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Statutory Rape | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Climate & Weather
- January Avg
- 43°–59°F
- July Avg
- 59°–82°F
- Annual Precipitation
- 16.1"
- Annual Snowfall
- 0.0"
Student Demographics
- Men
- 52.1%
- Women
- 47.9%
- White
- 12.6%
- Black
- 3.5%
- Hispanic
- 31.9%
- Asian
- 39.1%
- In-State Students
- 96.8%
- Pell Grant Recipients
- 35.5%
Location
- Address
- San Jose, California 95192-0001
After College
Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education
- Median Earnings (10 years)
- $78,988
- Median Earnings (5 years)
- $80,832
- Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
- $47,200
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 74.3%
- Monthly Loan Payment
- $159/mo
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $15,000
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the acceptance rate at San Jose State University?
San Jose State accepts 76.71% of applicants, making it moderately selective for a major public university. The school draws 96.75% of its 26,757 students from California, creating strong competition among in-state applicants for engineering and tech programs.
How much does San Jose State University cost after financial aid?
Students pay an average net price of $13,741 annually, with lower-income families paying as little as $9,743. The university keeps costs reasonable with in-state tuition at just $7,992, though room and board adds $19,866 for campus housing.
What is San Jose State University known for academically?
The university powers Silicon Valley with top-tier engineering programs and tech leadership development. With an 18:1 student-faculty ratio, SJSU has produced notable alumni including Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak and Netflix CEO Reed Hastings.
What are the job prospects for San Jose State University graduates?
Graduates achieve a 96.1% employment rate and earn a median salary of $78,988 ten years after graduation. The proximity to Silicon Valley tech companies gives SJSU students exceptional access to internships and high-paying career opportunities.
What is campus life like at San Jose State University?
The urban campus in downtown San Jose houses 4,261 students and fields 18 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division I. With 480 total athletes and $8.9 million in athletic scholarships, the Spartans compete in the Mountain West Conference.
How diverse is the student body at San Jose State University?
The university reflects Silicon Valley's diversity with 39.11% Asian students, 31.93% Hispanic students, and only 12.56% white students. This multicultural environment with a slight male majority (52.13%) mirrors the tech industry workforce that many students enter.
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