San Diego State University — ROI, Cost & Payback
San Diego State University charges a net price of $15,364/yr after aid — a 4-year total of $61,456. Graduates earn a median $64,909 ten years after entry, $16,549/yr above the $48,360 high-school baseline, clearing the total in 3.7 years — a 20-year net return of $269,524, a strong payback — the degree clears its cost fast. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
San Diego State University's 3.7-year payback ranks #257 of 1,280 US colleges we track — better ROI than 80% of them, and #57 of 334 in California.
| Measure | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Net price (after aid) | $15,364/yr | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Total net cost (4 yrs) | $61,456 | our math |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs after entry | $64,909 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Earnings premium over HS baseline | $16,549/yr | our math |
| Median debt (completers) | $15,000 | Scorecard, 2026 |
| Payback | 3.7 yrs | our math |
| 20-year net return | $269,524 | our math |
College Scorecard (2026 release), institution-level · payback and returns are our math.
The arithmetic, on San Diego State University's own numbers. Net price $15,364 × 4 years = $61,456 total. Median earnings $64,909 − the $48,360 high-school baseline = $16,549 a year of premium. $61,456 ÷ $16,549 = 3.7 years to break even; twenty years of that premium minus the cost leaves $269,524. Future dollars are not discounted, and the earnings figure blends every major here — your programme can beat or miss it. Full method.
How much debt do San Diego State University students graduate with?
A median $15,000 in federal loans among completers, or 23% of the $64,909 its graduates earn ten years out — our math. The figure excludes private loans and students who left before finishing.
What share of San Diego State University students graduate?
76% finish their degree. Spread the $61,456 bill across that completion rate and the cohort pays $80,863 per graduate produced — our math, and the figure a payback number never shows.
Is San Diego State University expensive compared with other California colleges?
Its $15,364 net price runs $4,541 below the $19,905 median across the 334 California colleges we profile, and $18,164 less across the full degree.