San Diego State University - Admission Requirements, SAT, ACT, GPA and chance of acceptance

Your chances of getting into San Diego State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

34.4%

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 34.4%. Its admission rate is the 18th lowest in California and the 134th 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, 28,517 out of the 82,800 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?

34% 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.

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 2024

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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 2023 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 34% chance of being admitted. A 1300 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 49% chance of getting in.

San Diego State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1300 and Above	Good	>49%
1195 to 1300	Avg +	34%-49%
1090 to 1195	Avg -	21%-34%
985 to 1090	Reach	12%-21%
Less than 985	Low	<12%

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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 #34 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 2023 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 34% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 52% with a 29 ACT score.

San Diego State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
29 and Above	Good	>52%
25 to 29	Avg +	34%-52%
22 to 25	Avg -	23%-34%
19 to 22	Reach	15%-23%
Less than 19	Low	<15%

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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	47,978	34,822	82,800
Accepted	17,536	10,981	28,517
Acceptance Rate	37%	32%	34%
Enrolled	3,660	2,502	6,162
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	21%	23%	22%

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2023 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.