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#10 Best Public Universities in California

San Diego State Admission Requirements

San Diego, California

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Your chances of getting into San Diego State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

39.3%
Admission Difficulty for San Diego State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at San Diego State is 39.3%.  Its admission rate is the 21st lowest in California and the 150th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into San Diego State and can you get accepted?

San Diego State is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 30,331 out of the 77,250 who applied were admitted.

San Diego State University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.82. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 22% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into San Diego State?

39% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to San Diego State University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.82 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1200 on the SAT
  • Score 25 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

San Diego State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.82

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into San Diego State University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into San Diego State are to have around a 3.82 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to San Diego State will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at San Diego State is 3.82 on the 4.0 scale. 34% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #18 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since San Diego State is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted San Diego State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 33.8% Good
3.75 to 3.99 31.5% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 19.6% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 9.6% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 4.1% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 1.2% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.2% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

San Diego State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by San Diego State University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1090-1300

Applicants Submitting SAT 

84%
SAT Scores for San Diego State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 550
Math 25th Percentile 540
Composite 25th Percentile 1090
SAT Scores for San Diego State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 640
Math 75th Percentile 660
Composite 75th Percentile 1300
Average SAT Score 1200

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to San Diego State University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at San Diego State is 1200 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1090-1300. Students who get into San Diego State University score in the top 43 percent of all SAT test takers..  San Diego State ranks #33 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1200 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. San Diego State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1090 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1090, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 980, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

San Diego State University is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1200 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1195, you have around a 39% chance of being admitted. A 1300 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 55% chance of getting in.

San Diego State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1300 and Above Good >55%
1195 to 1300 Avg + 39%-55%
1090 to 1195 Avg - 25%-39%
985 to 1090 Reach 15%-25%
Less than 985 Low <15%
Calculate My Chances 

San Diego State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

22-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

43%
ACT Scores for San Diego State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 21
Math 25th Percentile 21
Composite 25th Percentile 22
ACT Scores for San Diego State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 30
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 25

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into San Diego State?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to San Diego State is 25, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 22 and 29.  The school ranks #33 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 25. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 22 and score in the score in the top 37 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 18.

43 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to San Diego State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as San Diego State University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into San Diego State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 25 score has around 39% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 57% with a 29 ACT score.

San Diego State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >57%
25 to 29 Avg + 39%-57%
22 to 25 Avg - 27%-39%
19 to 22 Reach 18%-27%
Less than 19 Low <18%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

61% of San Diego State University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 24% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted San Diego State University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 24%
Top 25% of class 61%
Top 50% of class 91%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

San Diego State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 45,680 31,570 77,250
Accepted 18,884 11,447 30,331
Acceptance Rate 41% 36% 39%
Enrolled 4,009 2,564 6,573
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 22% 22%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

None

The application deadline for Fall 2025 has passed. Applications were due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to San Diego State University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to San Diego State University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

San Diego State University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at San Diego State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because San Diego State is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.82 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1200 on the SAT or 25 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1300 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to San Diego State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122409 IPEDS survey data for San Diego State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024