Tuition & net price

How much does San Diego State University cost?

Published tuition is $8,728 in-state and $21,328 out-of-state, with a full cost of attendance of $27,780 a year. After aid, families pay between $9,910 and $23,821 depending on income.

In-state tuition$8,728before aid
Out-of-state$21,328before aid
Lowest net price$9,910families under $30k
Highest net price$23,821families over $110k

What families actually pay Average net price after grants and scholarships, by household income.

Household incomeNet price a yearShare of the sticker price
Under $30,000 $9,910 36%
$30,001–$48,000 $10,017 36%
$48,001–$75,000 $12,697 46%
$75,001–$110,000 $15,891 57%
Over $110,000 $23,821 86%

Net price is the federal measure of what students actually pay: total cost of attendance minus the grant and scholarship aid they receive. It is the only cost figure worth comparing between universities — the published tuition above is a list price that most students never pay in full.

Who pays how The mix of grant aid and borrowing at this university.

On Pell grants
32%
Take federal loans
23%
Typical repayment
$159/mo

A high Pell share means the university enrols many lower-income students, and usually that its net price for those families is well below the sticker price. A high loan share means the gap between aid and cost is being filled with borrowing — the repayment record shows how that works out afterwards.

Need student health insurance for San Diego State University?

Most US universities require health cover before enrolment. Tell us your dates and country and we will come back with plans that meet your university’s requirement.

Free for students. We are not a insurer and give no financial advice — we pass your request to partners and may be paid by them if you go ahead. One request per person per service; sending it again simply updates what we hold.

How the price compares Universities charging a similar amount in California.

UniversityIn-stateOut-of-stateCost of attendanceNet price (under $30k)
Sonoma State University $8,624 $21,224 $24,648 $8,310
California State University, Chico $8,472 $21,072 $26,283 $9,902
San Jose State University $8,410 $21,010 $26,593 $9,730
California State University, Stanislaus $8,246 $20,846 $19,739 $3,938
California State University, San Bernardino $8,093 $20,693 $17,427 $2,681
California State University, Bakersfield $8,090 $20,690 $19,522 $3,536

San Diego State University costs: common questions

How much is tuition at San Diego State University?
Published tuition is $8,728 for in-state students and $21,328 for out-of-state students, before any aid.
What does San Diego State University actually cost after financial aid?
It depends on family income. After grants and scholarships, families earning under $30,000 pay a net $9,910 a year, while families over $110,000 pay $23,821.
What is the total cost of attendance at San Diego State University?
$27,780 a year as the institution reports it — tuition, fees, housing, books and living costs combined. Almost nobody pays this in full; the net price above is what families actually pay.
Is San Diego State University worth the money?
Graduates earn a median $64,909 ten years after starting, against $15,000 of median debt — see the full payback breakdown for the arithmetic.

Source: US Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition and cost of attendance are as reported by the institution; net price is the average paid by students receiving federal aid, by household income band. Figures imported 28 Aug 2026.