2023 Comprehensive Report on Rankings, Costs, Graduation Rate and More
$6,867
Net Price
38%
Admitted
21%
Enrolled
76%
Graduation Rate
26/1
Student / Faculty
University Detail
San Diego State University
is a public, four or more years institution with a total student enrollment of 36,484. In 2021, there were 867 psychology and social work graduates. This institution ranks #15 in California and ranks #159 in the U.S. for schools that offer psychology degree programs.
Psychology Degrees Offered
Bachelor, Master, Doctor
Psychology Graduates
867
Total Enrollment
36,484
Type
Public, Four or more years
Institution Accreditation
WASC Senior College and University Commission
Ranking for San Diego State University
Let’s be honest. There is no broad-based ranking system that is gong to find the exact right psychology program for you. Use our rankings and more importantly, the underlying data to help uncover a list of psychology programs that might be right for you. Once you narrow down a list of school to consider, the real work begins. In our view, it is best to visit the campus, talk to current students and alumni, interview professors and get a good sense of the school, its administration and philosophy to find the right psychology program for you.
California Rank
Combining ranking factors for 82 schools that offer psychology degrees in California, San Diego State University ranks #15.
U.S. Rank
Combining ranking factors for 1,438 schools that offer psychology degrees in the U.S., San Diego State University ranks #159.
Psychology Programs Offered
For psychology degrees, San Diego State University offers General Psychology and Social Work at the bachelor level. At the master level, the university offers Counseling and Applied Psychology, General Psychology, School Psychology and Social Work. At the doctorate level Clinical Psychology and Counseling and Applied Psychology are offered.
In the table below, see the programs offered and the number of graduates in each program.
| Psychology Graduates in 2021 | BS | MA | PhD |
| Clinical Psychology | – | – | 8 |
| Counseling and Applied Psychology | – | 11 | 8 |
| General Psychology | 591 | 37 | – |
| School Psychology | – | 11 | – |
| Social Work | 97 | 104 | – |
| Total Graduates | 688 | 163 | 16 |
Psychology Program Accreditation(s)
Admission, Enrollment, Graduation
In the fall of 2021, 67,660 students applied to the San Diego State University. The university admitted 38% and 21% of those who were admitted also enrolled.
By comparison, the average number of applicants for California universities is 21,883. On average, all California institutions admit 64% and 22% of those who were admitted end up enrolling into the institution.
The percentage of San Diego State University students who return after their first year to begin their second year is 90%. Compared to all California four or more years colleges, the percentage is 72%.
The overall graduation rate for San Diego State University is 76%, compared to 66% for all California universities, while the number of students who transferred out of the program is 2%.
Compare SDSU to California Four or more years Colleges
Offering Psychology Degrees
Compare admission, acceptance, retention and graduation rates of San Diego State University to the average of all California four or more years schools that offer psychology degrees.
Why it Matters
Compare Admission and Enrollment
Low admission rates and high enrollment rates denote not only how selective a school is, but also how in-demand the school is. High graduation rates show the overall success of an institution.
SDSU
67,660
Applicants
38%
Percent Admitted
21%
Percent Enrolled
90%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
76%
Graduation Rate
CA Colleges
21,883
Applicants
64%
Percent Admitted
22%
Percent Enrolled
72%
1st Time Student Retention Rate
66%
Graduation Rate
Student & Faculty Information
In the fall of 2021, there were 976 or 49% full-time instructional or research faculty members of all faculty and there were 1,008 or 51% part-time faculty members employed at San Diego State University. The number of full-time instructional faculty was 974 or 49%.
Part-time teachers are paid less and cost less, so any organization with a disproportionate number of part-time teachers can invest money in more important areas. However, as part-time teachers, participants can work full-time in their profession and bring experience to the classroom.
Why it Matters
Compare Faculty Numbers
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional percentages indicate that institutions focus their investments in areas that matter most to students.
SDSU
26 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
49%
Percent Full-Time
51%
Percent Part-Time
49%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
CA Colleges
19 / 1
Student Faculty Ratio
40%
Percent Full-Time
60%
Percent Part-Time
39%
Percent Full-Time Instructional
Tuition and Student Expenses
For the 2021-2022 academic year at San Diego State University the average cost of undergraduate tuition is $5,742, and the average cost for books and supplies is $1,091.
For graduate students, the average cost for tuition is $7,176 and the average cost for graduate fees is $2,394.
In the table below, find the average total expenses to attend San Diego State University in 2021-2022 including tuition, room, board and living expenses for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Note that the average total expenses do not include financial aid, grants, loans or scholarships. You can find the average financial aid and net price data in the sections below.
| Expenses for San Diego State University | 2021-2022 |
| On Campus Room & Board | $19,330 |
| On-Campus Living Expenses | $2,927 |
| Total Living Expenses | $22,257 |
| Tuition for In-State, Undergraduate | $5,742 |
| Books and Supplies, Undergraduate | $1,091 |
| Total Undergraduate Expenses | $29,090 |
| In-State, Graduate Tuition | $7,176 |
| In-State, Graduate Fees | $2,394 |
| Total Graduate Expenses | $9,570 |
Net Price
Average Net Price
The average net price to attend San Diego State University is $6,867. Average net price is calculated by adding tuition, room, board, living costs, books, supplies together and then subtracting the average financial (grants, scholarships and loans) for federal financial aid recipients.
In other words, the average net price is the average amount students pay to attend this university for one year.
Average net price is calculated from the most recent data supplied by each institution to the US Department of Education and is found by subtracting the average amount of federal, state/local government, or institutional grant or scholarship aid from the total cost of attendance. The total cost of attendance is the sum of published tuition and required fees (lower of in-district or in-state), books and supplies, and the weighted average for room and board and other expenses.
Net Price by Family Income
Depending on the federal, state, or institutional grant aid available, the table below shows the average amount students pay to attend San Diego State University presented by family income bracket.
Students may pay more or less depending on their individual circumstances; however, these are the average costs as tracked by the university and reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
| Average Net Price by Income | 2020-2021 | 2021-2022 |
| $0 – $30,000 | $7,169 | $1,133 |
| $30,001 – $48,000 | $9,274 | $2,563 |
| $48,001 – $75,000 | $14,698 | $6,993 |
| $75,001 – $110,000 | $18,957 | $11,030 |
| $110,001 and more | $22,318 | $14,882 |
Compare San Diego State University to all California universitas that offer psychology degrees for the cost to attend, average financial aid, percent of students receiving aid and the average net price to attend.
For program ranking, we see a lower overall cost of tuition and cost of living expenses minus the average financial aid a student may receive as the ranking factor student may want to consider.
Why it Matters
Compare Average Cost to Attend and Net Price
Low student faculty ratios and high full-time instructional professors indicates to us institutions that focus their investments in areas that matter most: the education of students by the best instructors possible.
SDSU
$29,090
Cost to Attend
$9,279
Average Financial Aid
58%
Percent Receiving Aid
$6,867
Net Price
CA Colleges
$33,186
Cost to Attend
$9,615
Average Financial Aid
80%
Percent Receiving Aid
$14,526
Average Net Price
Financial Aid
The number of beginning students who enter postsecondary education for the first time and receive financial aid is 2,768 or 58%.
The number of undergraduate students who receive a grant or scholarship is 16,595 and the average amount of their grant or scholarship is $9,279.
All Undergraduate Students
| Type of Aid | # Receiving Aid | Average Aid Received |
|---|---|---|
| Grant or Scholarship Aid | 16,595 | $9,279 |
| Pell Grants | 10,220 | $5,184 |
| Federal Student Loans | 6,191 | $6,606 |
Below, compare the financial aid students receive at the San Diego State University to all schools across the United States that offer psychology degrees.
We see higher percentages of those receiving aid and the percent that aid covers the net price of education as an indicator of the strength of the institution.
Why it Matters
Compare Financial Aid
Financial Aid can make the difference between being able to afford college or being priced out of college. Many students may find college far more affordable than they could imagine, when accounting for the various kinds of financial aid available.
SDSU
16,595
Grant or Scholarship Aid
50%
Grants or Scholarships
10,220
Number of Pell Grants
31%
Pell Grants
6,191
Federal Student Loans
19%
Federal Student Loans
CA Colleges
6,293
Grant or Scholarship Aid
60%
Grants or Scholarships
3,062
Number of Pell Grants
29%
Pell Grants
1,114
Federal Student Loans
11%
Federal Student Loans
See Additional Psychology Schools for California.
