CollegeCalcAI
SelectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

San Diego State University acceptance rate and admissions profile

San Diego State University is a public university in California with a 39% acceptance rate, which makes it selective. Here is what it looks for, where it sits among California schools, and how to estimate your own odds with CollegeCalcAI.

Acceptance rate
39%
Selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1340
of admitted students
Type
Public
California
Selectivity in state
#17
of 61 in CA
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What San Diego State University looks for

What San Diego State University weighs most heavily in its admissions review, modeled from its selectivity and profile.

Rigor of secondary school record
Important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Important
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Considered
Talent / ability
Considered
Character / personal qualities
Considered
First-generation status
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
State residency
Very important
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered

SAT score positioning at San Diego State University

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at San Diego State University
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300In the competitive admitted range
1200Well below the admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range

How San Diego State University compares in California

San Diego State University ranks #17 most selective of 61 schools in California in our database.

California Institute of Technology
3%acceptance · CA
Stanford University
4%acceptance · CA
Pomona College
7%acceptance · CA
UCLA
9%acceptance · CA
Claremont McKenna College
9%acceptance · CA
University of California, Berkeley
11%acceptance · CA
University of Southern California
12%acceptance · CA
UC Irvine
21%acceptance · CA
See all California schools →

Similar to San Diego State University

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Florida A&M University
38%acceptance · FL
Virginia Military Institute
40%acceptance · VA
The College of New Jersey
40%acceptance · NJ
University of Central Florida
41%acceptance · FL
UC Davis
37%acceptance · CA
Alabama A&M University
42%acceptance · AL

Frequently asked questions

How hard is it to get into San Diego State University?

San Diego State University has a 39% acceptance rate, which makes it selective — it admits a minority of applicants. Admission depends on how your full profile compares to its admitted students, not on scores alone.

What SAT score do you need for San Diego State University?

There is no hard cutoff, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1340. A score at or above the admitted range strengthens your application; CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds.

What does San Diego State University value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, San Diego State University weighs academic gpa, state residency, rigor of secondary school record most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

What are my chances of getting into San Diego State University?

Your chances depend on your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities together. Use the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance estimate for San Diego State University in a few minutes, no account required.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.