San Diego State University
San Diego, California
San Diego State University is a public institution in San Diego, California with 33,654 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $8,290 compared with a California nursing-school average of $10,571. The school reports a graduation rate of 78.3%, median earnings of $64,909, and median federal debt of $15,000.
$8,290 is lower than the state average of $10,571.
78.3% is higher than the state average of 55.0%.
$64,909 is higher than the state average of $43,430.
About San Diego State University
| Location | San Diego, California |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | graduate |
| Website | www.sdsu.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $8,290 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $20,170 |
| Total Enrollment | 33,654 |
| Acceptance Rate | 34.4% |
| Graduation Rate | 78.3% |
| Retention Rate | 90.3% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $64,909 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,000 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $159 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 31.4% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 23.1% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.2 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
31.4% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 23.1% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at San Diego State University depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $33,160, while the reported median debt is $15,000 with an estimated monthly payment of $159. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
Quick Links
Student Demographics
The student body is largest among Hispanic students (36.2%), followed by White students (34.3%) and Asian students (13.4%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($64,909) divided by median debt ($15,000)