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#13 Best Public Universities in California

San Jose State Admission Requirements

San Jose, California

 3 Reviews

Your chances of getting into San Jose State University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

76.7%
Admission Difficulty for San Jose State University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Average 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at San Jose State is 76.7%.  Its admission rate is the 60th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

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

San Jose State University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 26,083 out of the 34,002 who applied were admitted.

San Jose State University typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.35. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into San Jose State?

77% 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.

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Admission Requirements in Brief

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

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.35 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1130 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT

San Jose State GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.35*

Typical High School Grades 

B+

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

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into San Jose State are to have around a 3.35 high school GPA. You are required to have above average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.35 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as San Jose State accepts 77% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at San Jose State is 3.35 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #65 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since San Jose 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 3.4 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 Jose State University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 18.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 22.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 18.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 9.0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.35 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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San Jose State SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

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

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1010-1240

Applicants Submitting SAT 

91%
SAT Scores for San Jose State University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 500
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1010
SAT Scores for San Jose State University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 610
Math 75th Percentile 630
Composite 75th Percentile 1240
Average SAT Score 1130

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at San Jose State is 1130 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1010-1240. Students who get into San Jose State University score in the top 59 percent of all SAT test takers..  San Jose State ranks #42 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1130 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. San Jose State regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1010 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1010, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 890, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

San Jose 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 1130 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 1125, you have around a 77% chance of being admitted. A 1240 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 86% chance of getting in.

San Jose State University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1240 and Above Good >86%
1125 to 1240 Avg + 77%-86%
1010 to 1125 Avg - 64%-77%
895 to 1010 Reach 48%-64%
Less than 895 Low <48%
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San Jose State ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

25%
ACT Scores for San Jose State University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 18
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for San Jose State University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 25
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to San Jose State is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 26.  The school ranks #42 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

25 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to San Jose State University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as San Jose 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 Jose State for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 77% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 87% with a 26 ACT score.

San Jose State University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >87%
22 to 26 Avg + 77%-87%
19 to 22 Avg - 66%-77%
16 to 19 Reach 53%-66%
Less than 16 Low <53%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

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

San Jose State University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 16,813 17,189 34,002
Accepted 14,148 11,935 26,083
Acceptance Rate 84% 69% 77%
Enrolled 1,906 2,131 4,037
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 13% 18% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Dec 15, 2024

Days left to Apply

31

Applicants have 31 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Dec 15, 2024.

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

San Jose 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 Jose State University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because San Jose State University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.35 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1130 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to San Jose State University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=122755 IPEDS survey data for San Jose State University.

Last updated February 24, 2024