Paying for San Diego State
Undergraduate Tuition & Fees
$21,328 ($8,728)
Graduate Tuition & Fees
$20,332 ($10,252)
On-campus Living Costs
$26,416
Off-campus Living Costs
$23,048
Undergraduate Tuition per Credit Hour
$420
Graduate Tuition per Credit Hour
$420
The 2025 tuition & fees of San Diego State University are $8,728 for California residents and $21,328 for out-of-state students. For graduate programs, the tuition & fees are $10,252 for California residents and $20,332 for out-of-state students.
Compared to Public, 4-Years Colleges in California, both undergraduate and graduate tuition & fees are average.
Compared to similar schools in rankings such as Ohio State University-Main Campus and University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, tuition & fees of San Diego State University is inexpensive where the average tuition & fees of the schools are $34,183.
The average living cost of the school is $26,416 when a student lives in on-campus housing. When a student lives off-campus, the average living cost is $23,048.
*Data Source: 2024-2025 Tuition & Fees - NCES (Last Update: 6/05/2025)
2025 Tuition and Comparison Chart
The following chart visualizes the San Diego State's 2025 tuition & fees and compares to similar schools by school type, level, and location.
2025 Tuition & fees
The 2025 undergraduate tuition & fees at San Diego State University are $8,728 for California residents and $21,328 for out-of-state students. The undergraduate tuition & fees have increased by 5.74% from last year.
The 2025 graduate tuition & fees are $10,252 for California residents and $20,332 for out-of-state students. The graduate tuition & fees have increased by 5.74% from last year.
The following table and chart show the 2025 tuition & fees and the tuition trends over the last 5 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Graduate | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California Residents | Out-of-State | California Residents | Out-of-State | |
| 2021 | $7,720 | $19,600 | $9,154 | $18,658 |
| 2022 | $8,136 | $20,016 | $9,570 | $19,074 |
| 2023 | $8,174 | $20,054 | $9,608 | $19,112 |
| 2024 | $8,290 | $20,170 | $9,724 | $19,228 |
| 2025 | $8,728 | $21,328 | $10,252 | $20,332 |
Living Costs
The 2025 average on-campus living costs is $26,416 including room & board and other living expenses (a student lives in on-campus housing such as dormitory and school-owned apartment). For students living in off-campus housing, the average living cost is $23,048.
The living cost at the school has increased by 6.20% from last year.
The following table and chart show the living costs changes over the last 5 years.
| Year | On-Campus | Off-Campus | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Room & Board | Other Expenses | Room & Board | Other Expenses | |
| 2021 | $18,531 | $2,910 | $13,860 | $3,515 |
| 2022 | $19,330 | $2,927 | $15,375 | $3,654 |
| 2023 | $19,714 | $3,076 | $16,144 | $3,838 |
| 2024 | $21,630 | $3,244 | $17,110 | $5,140 |
| 2025 | $23,030 | $3,386 | $17,672 | $5,376 |
Books & Supplies Costs Trends Chart
The 2025 average cost for purchasing books & supplies is $946 at San Diego State University. The books & supplies cost has increased by 4.19% from last year.
The following table and chart show the 2025 books & supplies costs and the trends over the last 5 years.
| Year | Books & Supplies Costs |
|---|---|
| 2021 | $1,079 |
| 2022 | $1,091 |
| 2023 | $1,146 |
| 2024 | $908 |
| 2025 | $946 |
Tuition Per Credit Hour
The 2025 undergraduate tuition per credit hour at San Diego State University is $420 on average over undergraduate programs. The undergraduate tuition per credit hour has increased by 6.06% from last year.
The 2025 graduate tuition per credit hour is $420 on average. The graduate tuition per credit hour has increased by 6.06% from last year.
The following table and chart show the 2025 tuition per credit hour and its trends over the last 5 years.
| Year | Undergraduate | Graduate |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $396 | $396 |
| 2022 | $396 | $396 |
| 2023 | $396 | $396 |
| 2024 | $396 | $396 |
| 2025 | $420 | $420 |