R1 Research University: Carnegie’s Highest Distinction
SDSU has been officially recognized by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 Research University – the highest distinction awarded to doctoral universities by the Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education (ACE). SDSU is the only school in the California State University system classified as a National University (NU) by US News.
SDSU is a solid performer in prestigious rankings. 2026 U.S. News Best Colleges in America ranked SDSU 117th in the nation; 57th in the nation for Best Public Universities; and 9th inNiche’s Best Public Universities in California. In terms of global rankings, SDSU is ranked 501st in the world in the Softech Academic Ranking of World Universities (ARWU) 2025.
Academic Structure: 200+ Degree Programs Covering All Fields
SDSU offers bachelor’s degrees in 97 fields, nearly 90 master’s degrees (covering 88 fields) and 29 doctoral degrees (with Ph.D., Ed.D., Au.D. and D.P.T.). In total, the university offers over 200 undergraduate and graduate academic programs.
Many students enjoy majors in Business Administration, Psychology, Criminal Justice, Marketing, Kinesiology, Speech Communication, Finance, Liberal Arts, Biological Sciences, and Accounting.SDSU’s undergraduate International Business program ranks ninth in the nation. Computer science, tourism and hospitality management, and psychology also rank among the nation’s top programs.
Chemistry is ranked 36th globally in the 2022 QS World University Rankings by Subject. Recruitment Outlook with a San Diego State University Diploma
Campus Life: 400+ Student Organizations & D1 Athletics
Campus life at SDSU is vibrant and exciting. There are over 400 student organizations covering many areas.SDSU is a member of NCAA Division I and has 17 sports teams. Students can attend all regular season home games for free with a RedID card.
Campus transportation is easy. There are trolley stops, buses, student discounts, Safe Ride shuttles, scooters and Zipcar car sharing. Students can easily get to class, downtown or the beach. There are over 20 restaurants on campus, from Starbucks to Panda Express.
Excellent Return on Investment and Career Development
An SDSU diploma represents an excellent return on investment. According to the 2025 Report, SDSU graduates earn an average of $505,286 more (in present value) than their peers without a bachelor’s degree, an average annual return on investment in education of 26.7 percent, which far exceeds the 30-year average of the U.S. stock market (10.1 percent). On average, graduates recoup their entire investment in education (including opportunity costs) within six years of graduation.SDSU and its alumni generate nearly $10 billion in economic activity and support 26,000 jobs in California each year.
Median salary six years after graduation is approximately $52,620. Mid-career salaries average $127,700 with a 20-year net return on investment of $540,000. Graduates are liked by top global companies such as Google, Amazon, and Qualcomm. The school has over 500,000 alumni across the globe.
