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San Diego State University

The student guide to San Diego, California: where to eat, live and get help, what a year really costs, and the free stuff most students miss.

SDSU at a glance

35,377
undergrads
36%
of applicants admitted
91%
come back for year 2
83%
graduate
27 : 1
students per teacher
$73,494
typical pay 10 years in

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard.

What a year really costs

After grants and scholarships, by family income. Average: $13,243.

Under $30k $8,258
$30k–$48k $8,236
$48k–$75k $10,413
$75k–$110k $13,498
Over $110k $22,130
Tuition, in state
$9,180
Tuition, out of state
$25,500
Typical debt at graduation
$14,500
35% of students get a Pell Grant

Free stuff most students miss

Academics & admin

Writing Center

Free writing support in Love Library (Room LLA 1103) with one-on-one tutoring for essays, research papers, and all writing assignments.

Getting around

SDSU Safe Ride

Free on-demand rides to and from designated campus locations during late evening hours for student safety.

Health & safety

Counseling & Psychological Services (C&PS)

Free counseling services on the 4th floor of Calpulli Center, offering individual therapy, workshops, crisis support, and after-hours crisis line.

Eat

Dining halls, quick bites and coffee on campus.

12 places
The Garden
The Garden
Dining hall

Flagship buffet-style dining with global flavors including pastas, pizzas, and toasted sandwiches

5150 55th St
Dining hall
University Towers Kitchen (UTK)
Dining hall

Full-service a la carte restaurant featuring naturally prepared fresh food in an open environment

5172 College Ave
East Commons
East Commons
Food court

The largest food court on campus with multiple vendors including Panda Express, SoCal Chicken, and Dickeys BBQ.

5500 Campanile Dr
West Commons
West Commons
Food court

Food court specializing in vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dining options on campus.

5500 Campanile Dr
Starbucks - Aztec Student Union
Starbucks - Aztec Student Union
Coffee shop

Full-service Starbucks inside the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, open seven days a week.

6075 Aztec Circle Dr
Oggi's Pizza Express
Oggi's Pizza Express
Restaurant

Popular pizza spot inside the Aztec Student Union serving pizza, calzones, and Italian favorites.

6075 Aztec Circle Dr

Where to live

Residence halls, apartments and help finding a place.

4 places

Get around

Shuttles, parking and accessible rides.

4 ways

Majors that pay most at SDSU

Typical pay 4 years after graduating. Top 6 of 61 bachelor's majors with published pay.

Nursing $120,799
Computer Engineering $116,842
Electrical Engineering $106,416
Computer Science $100,586
Construction Engineering Technology/Technician $100,564
Aerospace $100,139

Source: College Scorecard, field-of-study data.

Your SDSU checklist

5 things worth doing early

When you need help

5 things SDSU freshmen figure out too late

Watch the video
  1. 1 Your prof has to say if AI grades you

    "Instructors of record shall disclose to their students any use of generative AI tools in grading." The same policy file asks every syllabus for a "statement of permitted use of generative AI".

  2. 2 No final? Class still meets in finals week

    "Every instructor, therefore, shall conduct some class business with students on the day and at the time officially scheduled for the final examination for each course." So keep that slot free even if your class has no final.

  3. 3 Check your SDSU email every single day

    "Students shall be expected to check their official email at least once per day during the academic term, as well as once per week during the three-week periods preceding and following the academic term."

  4. 4 One class cannot fill major and minor

    "However, no course shall be used to satisfy the requirements for both a major and a minor."

  5. 5 Record the lecture — Gus makes the notes, flashcards and quiz

    Gus is an AI college companion built around your actual classes. Record a lecture and it writes the notes, pulls out the key topics, builds a flashcard deck, and makes a practice quiz from what was actually said. The flashcards come back on a spaced-review schedule, so the thing you missed shows up again right before you would have forgotten it. It is free to try.

One more thing

Profs cannot add surprise prereqs

"Instructors may not add additional course prerequisites or require entrance examinations for course admission."

SDSU University Senate Policy File 2026-27 (PDF)

AI rules can change by section

Each syllabus must include the course's "statement of permitted use of generative AI, which may vary by section." Same course, different section, different rules, so read each one.

SDSU University Senate Policy File 2026-27 (PDF)

Gus is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by San Diego State University. Tips checked against SDSU's own pages in October 2026. Campus info last updated May 2026. Stats from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Something out of date? hello@meetgus.app · All campus guides