San Diego, CA · Private University
Is San Diego State University Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$64,909
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$8,290
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$20,170
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$80,680
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
3.22x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
2.7 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
78.3%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$15,000
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$16,174
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
San Diego State University graduates earn $19,909 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at San Diego State University ranked by graduate earnings
244 graduates
188 graduates
265 graduates
125 graduates
80 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at San Diego State University
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings. Your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At San Diego State University, the gap between the highest-earning major (Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing: $96,266) and the lowest (Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services: $22,001) is $74,265/yr, bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical NursingBest ROI | $96,266 | 4.8x |
| Computer Science | $91,805 | 4.5x |
| Mechanical Engineering | $91,140 | 4.5x |
| Electrical, Electronics and Communications Engineering | $90,947 | 4.5x |
| Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering | $90,216 | 4.5x |
| Civil Engineering | $86,596 | 4.3x |
| Construction Engineering Technologies(1yr data) | $81,608 | 4.0x |
| Accounting and Related Services | $79,043 | 3.9x |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | $77,291 | 3.8x |
| Computer Engineering(1yr data) | $76,812 | 3.8x |
| Marketing | $67,600 | 3.4x |
| International Business | $67,271 | 3.3x |
| Environmental/Environmental Health Engineering(1yr data) | $66,482 | 3.3x |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | $66,177 | 3.3x |
| Finance and Financial Management Services | $63,817 | 3.2x |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services | $62,478 | 3.1x |
| Public Relations, Advertising, and Applied Communication | $62,118 | 3.1x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research | $61,930 | 3.1x |
| Economics | $61,799 | 3.1x |
| Political Science and Government | $60,648 | 3.0x |
| Statistics(1yr data) | $57,734 | 2.9x |
| Chemistry | $56,479 | 2.8x |
| Biology, General | $55,383 | 2.8x |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | $52,211 | 2.6x |
| Communication and Media Studies | $50,264 | 2.5x |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $49,823 | 2.5x |
| International Relations and National Security Studies | $49,220 | 2.4x |
| Design and Applied Arts | $48,911 | 2.4x |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | $48,538 | 2.4x |
| Public Administration | $47,513 | 2.4x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $45,975 | 2.3x |
| Parks, Recreation and Leisure Studies | $45,975 | 2.3x |
| Health and Physical Education/Fitness | $45,819 | 2.3x |
| Microbiological Sciences and Immunology(1yr data) | $45,360 | 2.3x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies | $44,417 | 2.2x |
| Social Work | $44,272 | 2.2x |
| Applied Mathematics(1yr data) | $42,856 | 2.1x |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences(1yr data) | $41,351 | 2.0x |
| Public Health(1yr data) | $41,092 | 2.0x |
| Sociology | $40,865 | 2.0x |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | $40,772 | 2.0x |
| History | $39,883 | 2.0x |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other | $39,325 | 1.9x |
| Anthropology | $39,194 | 1.9x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $38,648 | 1.9x |
| Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics | $37,950 | 1.9x |
| Psychology, General | $37,078 | 1.8x |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $35,695 | 1.8x |
| Social Sciences, General | $35,496 | 1.8x |
| Nutrition Sciences(1yr data) | $34,878 | 1.7x |
| Music | $34,258 | 1.7x |
| Hospitality Administration/Management | $32,138 | 1.6x |
| Journalism(1yr data) | $30,269 | 1.5x |
| Philosophy(1yr data) | $29,712 | 1.5x |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $28,363 | 1.4x |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions(1yr data) | $25,361 | 1.3x |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $23,720 | 1.2x |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and ServicesLowest(1yr data) | $22,001 | 1.1x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
The Bottom Line
San Diego State University stands out as a strong financial investment among U.S. colleges. Graduates earn $64,909 10 years after starting, $19,909 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 2.7 years, faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.