San Diego State University

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at SDSU was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $17,622 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

If this information makes going to college feel scary, remember, the total cost of tuition isn't necessarily what you will have to pay to attend a school. Many students pay way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts kick in. Additionally, student loans can make theprice of collegefeel more doable until after graduation.

Tuition for international students at San Diego State University is $17,622 per year.

San Diego State University meets 74% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates. The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student at San Diego State University is around $15,094 a year.

Graduates in the class of 2023 had an average of $21,212 in student loans per borrower.

San Diego State University: In-state vs. Out-of-State Tuition

San Diego State University is a public, state institution, so it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,742 for students who qualify as state residents and attend full-time.Non-California residents can expect to pay 17,622 per year for tuition.

Public schools receive funds from the state to help them cover costs. These institutions offer a lower cost of attendance for those who qualify as California residents.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to confirm your state's guidelines for how to qualify for in-state residency. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements as well, depending on where you live.

Explore other California colleges

Tuition for International Students at San Diego State University

San Diego State University has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at San Diego State University can expect to pay around $17,622 per year, before any scholarships, grants or other financial aid.

International students are not eligible for loans or grants from the U.S. government, but may be eligible for private or San Diego State University-specific aid and scholarships. International students with need may be eligible for the following types of financial support at San Diego State University:

•San Diego State University-specific scholarships

International students without financial need may be eligible for merit-based institutional scholarships and athletic awards.

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San Diego State University Living Expenses, Fees, and More

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Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; room and board, books, transportation and fees are also costs it consider when budgeting for college. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at San Diego State University.

Room and Board Costs at San Diego State University

Housing and campus dining at San Diego State University costs $20,500 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the school dining halls.

Board costs may vary depending on the number of meals you intend to eat on-campus

How Much Do Books Cost at San Diego State University?

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The actual cost of books depends on the courses you take and the textbooks, computer programs, or other materials are required.. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy used textbooks and materials.

Annual Fees

The majority of colleges charge some yearly fees to help cover the cost of facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

Keep in mind, there could also be other costs associated with participating in special activities, like joining a fraternity or sorority, or playing on an intramural sports team. Many schools have resources so that those with financial need to find ways to lower or eliminate these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college depends on a few key factors. Will you drive, fly, or take public transportation to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus small enough that you can easily walk from class-to-class?? Do you plan to bring a car or are you planning to use public transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. At San Diego State University, freshman are not allowed to park on campus.

A school's location can impact the amount you'll have to spend just to get around. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the other hand getting around in an urban area is often expensive, but there may be more trains, busses and affordable flights to actually get to school. The San Diego State University campus is in a city in California, near San Diego.

Other Costs

When budgeting for college, don’t forget to consider the cost of things like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.

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The Full Cost of Attending San Diego State University

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Now, let’s look at the breakdown of all expenses, to get a better idea of the actual cost of attending San Diego State University.

How Much Does San Diego State University Cost?

What will the cost of attending San Diego State University be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2023 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition	$5,742
Out-of-State Tuition	$17,622
Room and Board	$20,500
Other expenses	$2,129

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.

San Diego State University’s tuition and fees change based on: •Campus location for full-time and part-time students •Course load for both full and part-time students

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Financial Aid at San Diego State University

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In 2023, 14,752 of the 31,724 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. San Diego State University meets 74% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $15,094 a year. Around 35% of San Diego State University undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. San Diego State University graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $21,212 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans	$17,173
Private Loans	$38,437

Most Common Loans for San Diego State University Students
Federal Loans	33%
Private loans	4%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on San Diego State University financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at San Diego State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2023, San Diego State University awarded 10,646 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $125.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $10.6 million in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

San Diego State University Net Cost

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for San Diego State University students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at San Diego State University was $15,094 in 2023. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of San Diego State University seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus	$615
Net In-state, Off-campus	$-4,124
Out-of-State, On-Campus	$27,589

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending San Diego State University really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families get a better idea of the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the San Diego State University's net cost calculator on their website.

San Diego State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

San Diego State University does not have guaranteed tuition.

San Diego State University offers an Installment Payment Plan, which allows students to pay tuition in a series of smaller chunks instead of one lump sum.

SDSU Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to offset the cost of attending. Some schools offer tuition waivers for employees and their family members, underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, students are usually responsible for housing, meal plans, and other expenses.

SDSU has some full or partial tuition waivers available for: - Employees or Children of Employees

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.

San Diego State University's Endowment

An endowment is the total value of a school's investments, donations, and assets. Endowment is not necessarily an indicator of the quality of a school, but it can give you a sense of how much money a college can afford to invest in expanding programs, improving facilities, and supporting students.

San Diego State University's endowment was valued at $385.3 million in 2023, compared to a national average of $905 million. For each full-time student, San Diego State University spends about $12,466 a year.

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Learn More About San Diego State University

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To learn more about San Diego State University, choose from the options below:

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