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San Diego State University Admissions 2026: Requirements, Application Deadlines & Fees
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International undergraduate and graduate students can take San Diego State University admission in the Fall semester. The San Diego State University application deadline for international students is given below:
UG Deadline:
- Regular Deadline: Apr 1, 2026 (Fall)
- Early Considerations Deadline: Closed (Fall)
PG Deadline:
- Fall: Closed
- San Diego State University Admissions 2026
- San Diego State University Admission Dates 2026
- San Diego State University Admission Requirements 2026
- How to get into San Diego State University?
- San Diego State University Enrollment Statistics 2026
- + 2 more items
San Diego State University Admissions 2026
San Diego is popular for opportunities and innovation. The university offers over 200 UG and PG programs that help to gain hands-on experience. The university offers opportunities in fields like Biotech, Media and Engineering, Health, Education, and more.
Some of the most chosen San Diego State University courses are Data Analytics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity Management, Accountancy, and Electrical Engineering. The tuition cost for the undergraduate program is between INR 17 L and INR 25 L, where the tuition for the postgraduate program is between INR 6L and INR 26L.
As per an unofficial source, the San Diego State University acceptance rate is 36%, which means that the university is highly competitive. International students applying to the university must meet UG and PG admissions requirements. Some of the essential factors the university considers are a good GPA in academic coursework, strong essays, LORs, professional experience, and good ELP scores.
Must Read: Study Guide to USA for International Students
San Diego State University Admissions 2026 Highlights
International students should fill out all the details to complete the admission process via Cal State application. Here, they need to fill the basic personal details and submit all the required docuements. Once the student fills out the application, students must submit the San Diego State University application fee. The San Diego State University requirements for international students are given below:
|
Particular |
San Diego State University Info |
|---|---|
|
Application portal |
calstate.edu/apply/international |
|
Application fee |
USD 70 (INR 6K) |
|
Acceptance rate |
34% |
|
English language tests accepted |
|
|
Standardized tests required |
|
|
International application deadlines |
UG: Apr 1, 2026 (Fall-Regular) PG: Closed |
San Diego State University Admission Dates 2026
The application deadlines for undergraduate and postgraduate students are available for Fall semesters. The regular application deadline for UG students is Apr 1, 2026. UG students must submit their applications before the deadlines for admission. For postgraduate students, the deadline is closed. Students should follow the deadlines to avoid any delay in the application. The San Diego State University admission deadlines for UG and PG programs are given below:
San Diego State University Application Deadlines
The application deadline for undergraduate early admission and postgraduate admission are now closed. Students who want to take undergraduate admission can still apply in regular mode. The application deadline for both undergraduate and graduate programs are given below:
|
Program |
Application Deadline |
|---|---|
|
UG-Regular |
Apr 1, 2026 (Fall) |
|
UG-Early |
closed |
|
PG |
Closed (Fall) |
San Diego State University Admission Requirements 2026
San Diego State University has more than 350 courses offered to international students annually. Some popular courses at SDSU are Business Administration; Cybersecurity Management; Accountancy; Global Business Development; International Business; Economics; and more. In addition, students must submit San Diego State University tuition fee varies depending on the level of study and the course chosen by the applicant. Some of the basic requirements from the university are the SAT or ACT(optional) for undergraduate students and the GMAT for MBA. Students can check the San Diego State University admission eligibility below:
San Diego State University PG Admission Requirements 2026
Students who want to study postgraduate program should have a bachelor’s degree from an international university or equivalent. They should submit SOP, LOR, resume, GRE/GMAT score, English language requirements, and more. International students can check the admission requirements for postgraduate programs below:
|
PG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MBA/PGDM(12-24 months) |
A three-year baccalaureate degree from an international institution |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above |
Interfolio requirements GRE/GMAT scores (optional) Resume Statement of purpose Letters of recommendation Essay( optional) GPA of 3.4 or above on a 4-point scale |
|
MS(12 months-3 years) |
A three-year baccalaureate degree from an international institution |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, TOEFL: 80 - 85 |
University mark sheets for all studies (bachelor’s/master's) Provisional degree certificates Transcripts/ academic records English language requirements |
|
M.A.(18 months-3 years) |
A three-year baccalaureate degree from an international institution |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above, GRE |
University mark sheets for all studies (bachelor’s/master's) Provisional degree certificates Transcripts/ academic records English language requirements |
|
MEng(2 years) |
A three-year baccalaureate degree from an international institution |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
University mark sheets for all studies (bachelor’s/master's) Provisional degree certificates Transcripts/ academic records English language requirements |
|
MPA(18-24 months) |
A three-year baccalaureate degree from an international institution |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above |
University mark sheets for all studies (bachelor’s/master's) Provisional degree certificates Transcripts/ academic records English language requirements |
San Diego State University UG Admission Requirements 2026
Students who want to study undergraduate program should have a proof of high school completion or secondary level. They should submit graduation certificate, GPA score, ACT/SAT score, English language requirements, and more. International students can check the admission requirements for undergraduate programs below:
|
UG Programs |
Academic Qualifications |
English Proficiency Requirements |
Documents Required |
|---|---|---|---|
|
B.A.(4 years) |
Completion of high school or secondary level |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above |
Copy of graduation certificate or diploma A GPA of 3 (B grade or 80%) or higher English language proficiency score ACT/SAT score |
|
B.E. / B.Tech(4 years) |
Completion of high school or secondary level |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
Copy of graduation certificate or diploma A GPA of 3 (B grade or 80%) or higher English language proficiency score ACT/SAT score |
|
BBA(4 years) |
Completion of high school or secondary level |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
Copy of graduation certificate or diploma A GPA of 3 (B grade or 80%) or higher English language proficiency score ACT/SAT score |
|
B.Sc.(4 years) |
Completion of high school or secondary level |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
Copy of graduation certificate or diploma A GPA of 3 (B grade or 80%) or higher English language proficiency score ACT/SAT score |
|
B.Arch(4 years) |
Completion of high school or secondary level |
IELTS: 6.5 & Above, TOEFL: 80 & Above, PTE: 58 & Above, Duolingo: 105 & Above |
Copy of graduation certificate or diploma A GPA of 3 (B grade or 80%) or higher English language proficiency score ACT/SAT score |
Also Read: Cost of living in USA for Indian students
San Diego State University Visa Requirements for International Students
International students must fulfill the visa eligibility such as students must have an offer letter for a full-time academic course, proving their English language proficiency, and having financial support. Along with fulfilling eligibility, students must submit some documents for a visa to study in the UK. Some of the mandatory San Diego State University visa requirements for international students are given below:
- I-94 Form
- Passport
- SEVIS I-20 Form for F-1 students
- Health insurance
- Financial documents
Commonly asked questions On Admissions
With a 36% acceptance rate, San Diego State University is hard to get into for international students. The acceptance rate shows that the university is tough during admission and follows a easy approach while selecting candidates for the university. The university considers various academic and non-academic factors during admission including rigor of secondary school report, academic GPA, and more.
San Diego State University does not ask for GRE or GMAT scores for graduate programs. To support their application, students can take the GMAT or GRE and post their unofficial results on Interfolio. However, SDSU does not give preference to either exam if students choose to submit test results; instead, the university will typically choose the student's best score.
San Diego State University offers various scholarships to international students including the Sara Stelzer Study Abroad Scholarship; SDSU Associated Students Study Abroad Scholarship; Minor Scholarship for Study Abroad; Joyce M. Gattas Scholarship for Internships and International Experiences; and more. The SDSU scholarships along with the details are given below:
SDSU Scholarship | Details |
|---|---|
Sara Stelzer Study Abroad | Scholarship to help financially deserving students participate in an international experience |
SDSU Associated Students Study Abroad | Scholarships for conducting research outside the United States |
Minor Scholarship for Study Abroad | Scholarship to get an International Studies Minor from the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts |
Joyce M. Gattas Scholarship for Internships and International Experiences | Scholarship designed for PSFA undergraduate and graduate students for global education |
Jim Sanders Media and Leadership Scholarship | Scholarship designed for journalism, news media, or communication students |
San Diego State University MS Admissions 2026
The San Diego State University provides 12-24 month master's program in specializations such as Data Analytics, Computer Science, Information Systems; Cybersecurity Management; Accountancy; Electrical Engineering; Bioinformatics and Medical Informatics; Global Business Development; Bioengineering; and more. The tuition fee ranges between INR 6L and INR 26L for these programs. During admission, students must submit a copy of their degree certificate and transcript, personal statement, letter of recommendation, CV, English language test scores, and GMAT/GRE score.
Eligibility Criteria
- Accepting Exams: IELTS, PTE, Duolingo, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT
Commonly asked questions On MS Admissions
San Diego State University expects a minimum cumulative GPA of 3 and 3.4 on a 4-point scale from international UG and PG applicants respectively. Students must meet the requirements for basic eligibility, which include verification of high school graduation for undergraduate programs and a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or its equivalent for postgraduate programs.
As part of the California State University system, San Diego State University is one of the city's the oldest universities and is well-known for offering over 39,000 students a top-notch academic program.
More than 200 undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered at San Diego State University. Data analytics, Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity Management, Accounting, Electrical Engineering, and more are some of the most sought-after disciplines.
San Diego State University MBA Admissions 2026
The San Diego State University offer 1-2 year MBA program in fields like Business Administration; Cybersecurity Management; Accountancy; International Business; Economics; and more. The tuition cost ranges between INR 16 L and INR 26 L for these programs. At the time of admission, students must submit a copy of their degree certificate and transcript, personal statement, letter of recommendation, SOP, Essay, English language test scores, and GMAT/GRE score (optional).
Eligibility Criteria
- Accepting Exams: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo, GRE, GMAT
Commonly asked questions On MBA/PGDM Admissions
San Diego State University offers one of the best Computer Science programs to international students. The programs help students to get fundamental knowledge of computer science, such as how to use and create programming languages and store and retrieve data. The programme also covers the hardware systems that understand these languages, as well as the theoretical underpinnings of data structures and architecture that serve as the basis for computing.
How to get into San Diego State University?
Below is the San Diego State University application process for international students:
Step 1: Complete the Cal State Apply online application, and the applicant must pay a USD 70 (INR 6K) non-refundable application fee. (USD 1=INR 86.85). The documents checklist is given below:
|
UG Requirements |
PG Requirements |
|---|---|
|
Copy of graduation certificate or diploma |
GRE/GMAT scores (optional) |
|
A GPA of 3 (B grade or 80%) or higher |
Resume |
|
ACT/SAT score |
Letters of recommendation |
|
English language proficiency score |
Essay(optional) |
|
|
GPA of 3.4 or above on a 4-point scale |
|
|
Statement of purpose |
Step 2: Applicants must make sure that their names match their passports and use the month/Day/Year format for their date of birth.
Step 3: Applicant must review the academic requirements for their country on SDSU requirements by country page. Contact the international admissions office for questions.
Step 4: Within two weeks of applying, receive an email with your SDSU ID which grants access to ‘my. SDSU’
Step 5: Log in to ‘my.SDSU’ with your SDSU ID and password. Applicants must keep their email updated in their profile and use the admission portal to track their application status.
Commonly asked questions On Application Process
San Diego State University expects an IELTS score of 6.5 or higher from international students to join their undergraduate and graduate programs. Along with the IELTS scores, students must fulfill their English language proficiency by submitting the scores of TOEFL, PTE, and Duolingo. The San Diego State University English language requirements for international students are given below:
San Diego State University offers various popular majors to international students including Business Administration; Management; Computer Science; Speech Communication and Rhetoric; and more. Students can check the table below for SDSU's popular majors along with its graduation rates:
SDSU Majors | Graduation Rates |
|---|---|
Business Administration and Management | 32% |
Multi-Interdisciplinary studies | 5% |
Computer Science | 4% |
Speech Communication and Rhetoric | 4% |
Psychology | 4% |
Note: The data is taken from an unofficial source, and hence subject to vary
The San Diego State University application fee for UG and PG programs is USD 70 (INR 6K). Students must fulfill the basic eligibility by having a bachelor's degree from a recognised university or equivalent for PG, and proof of high school completion for UG programs.
San Diego State University Enrollment Statistics 2026
According to the San Diego State University enrollment for 2024-2025, the international applications received by the university was 90,504 out of which 6,629 students were enrolled in the UG program. The table below talks about San Diego State University acceptance rate and their segregation for all UG students:
|
Particular |
Statistics 2023-2024 |
Statistics 2024-2025 |
|---|---|---|
|
Application Received |
83,190 |
90,504 |
|
Admitted Students |
28,433 |
32,556 |
|
Total Students Enrolled |
6,162 |
6,629 |
|
Yield Rate |
21.7% |
20.4% |
|
Acceptance Rate |
34.18% |
35.97% |
Commonly asked questions On Admission
The San Diego State University acceptance rate is 34%. As per the acceptance rate, the university selects applicants via a comprehensive process and has strict admissions requirements. Indian students must meet the entry level requirements at the university.
Yes, San Diego State University accepts international students from all over the globe. As per an unofficial source, SDSU enrolled over 37,000 students of which more than 32,000 were undergraduate and over 4,000 were graduates. The ethnic diversity indicates that 3% of total university enrollment were international students. Students can check the ethnic breakdown at SDSU below:
Category | Enrolled Percentage |
|---|---|
Minority | 59% |
Hispanic | 35% |
White | 34% |
Asian | 13% |
Two or more races | 7% |
Black | 4% |
Unknown | 4% |
International | 3% |
Note: The data is taken from an unofficial source, and hence subject to vary
San Diego State UniversityStudents Ratings & Reviews
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SDSU Admission FAQs 2026
First, complete the Cal State online application, submit an online application, and pay a non-refundable application fee of USD 70 (INR 6K).
Candidates must ensure that their names correspond to those on their passports and enter their birthdates in the month, day, and year format.
The applicant needs to go over the nation-specific academic requirements on the SDSU requirements by country website.
If we consider the below comparison table, the University of Colorado Boulder is better than the SDSU based on the national and top-public school rankings. As per the unofficial source, the University of Colorado Boulder ranked #98 among national universities whereas the SDSU ranked #109. Students can check the table below for the comparison between the two:
US News Rankings 2025 | CU Boulder | San Diego State University |
|---|---|---|
National Universities | #98 | #109 |
Top public schools | #46 | #52 |
Best Value shools | #189 | #162 |
San Diego State University
Student Forum
Anything you would want to ask experts?Answered 4 months ago
With an MBA placement rate of 92%, SDSU offers good future prospects. The top recruiting companies for undergraduates include Nestle USA, PepsiCo, Solar Turbines, Toyota Financial Services, Deloitte, Microsoft, Facebook, US Bank, United Technologies Corp., West Pac Wealth Partners, Whova, etc.
Wher
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
San Diego State University acceptance rate is 35.9%, which means out of every 100 students who apply to SDSU admissions, the university is likely to offer the opportunity to enroll to around 35-36 students.
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 5 months ago
San Diego State University received over 90,500 applications from students for the admission cycle of 2024-25. Whereas the number of students admitted crossed 32,500, and the students enrolled crossed 6,600. This suggests that the San Diego State University acceptance rate stands at 35.97%. San Die
R
Contributor-Level 10
Answered 7 months ago
Yes, it is quite difficult to get admission at San Diego State University.
The admissions are very selective at San Diego State University as on the basics of records only 34 out of 100 application are accepted per year which makes a percentage of 34% only.
Should have at least a 2.5 GPA or greater
R
Contributor-Level 7
Answered 9 months ago
According to QS World Rankings 2025, San Diego State University has been ranked at #1001 in the world. Some of other world rankings of the university are mentioned below -
| Year | QS Rankings | US News Rankings |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1001 | 593 |
| 2024 | 1001 | 708 |
| 20025 | 1001 | NA |
Contributor-Level 10
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