Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (4-year)
- 59.5%
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 59.6%
- Retention Rate
- 82.9%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $55,070
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $23,250
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 76.0%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $246/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Administration. | Doctoral | $117,014 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Doctoral | $92,277 | $53,543 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $74,845 | $21,500 |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering. | Bachelor | $74,576 | |
| Civil Engineering. | Master | $67,660 | |
| Mechanical Engineering. | Bachelor | $61,322 | $27,000 |
| Civil Engineering. | Bachelor | $59,124 | $23,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $57,860 | $23,500 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Bachelor | $56,776 | $21,185 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Bachelor | $56,234 | $26,500 |
| Plant Sciences. | Bachelor | $55,151 | $22,125 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | Master | $52,107 | |
| Agricultural Mechanization. | Bachelor | $47,520 | $22,000 |
| Agricultural Public Services. | Bachelor | $45,529 | |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Bachelor | $45,340 | $22,000 |
Outcomes Overview
SDSU graduates earn a median of $55,070 ten years after graduation, putting them ahead of many regional universities. The debt-to-earnings ratio sits at a reasonable 42%, while monthly loan payments of $246 consume about 5% of typical graduate income. Engineering and agriculture graduates often land jobs at major companies like 3M and Cargill, reflecting the university's strong industry connections in these fields. The 98.4% employment rate demonstrates solid career preparation. With 76% of borrowers successfully repaying loans, SDSU delivers on its promise of practical education. For students seeking affordable technical training with clear career pathways, this represents a strong return on investment.