About San Diego State University
San Diego State University is a public university in San Diego, California, in a large city. It enrolls roughly 35,380 undergraduates, most of them full time. The federal student-to-faculty ratio is about 27 to 1.
Nursing programs at San Diego State University
Federal completion data shows nursing credentials awarded at these levels: bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN) and master’s degree in nursing (MSN). In the most recent reporting year, the school reported about 195 bachelor’s-level nursing graduates and about 17 master’s-level nursing graduates. A bachelor’s program is the traditional four-year route to RN licensure and the usual starting point for later graduate study; see our ADN vs. BSN guide if you are still deciding on a degree level. The MSN option is aimed at licensed nurses moving into advanced practice, leadership, or teaching.
Cost and student outcomes
Published tuition and fees are about $9,200 a year for in-state students and $25,500 for out-of-state students. The average net price (what students receiving federal aid pay after grants and scholarships) is about $13,200 a year. About 35% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants. Students who finish the bachelor’s level and borrow leave with median federal loan debt of about $15,000. Federal earnings data puts median pay for those bachelor’s-level nursing graduates at roughly $111,300 one year after finishing and $120,800 four years out. These are estimates for graduates with reported earnings, not a promise. Schoolwide, about 78% of first-time, full-time students finish within 150% of normal time and 91% return for a second year.
Applying and licensure
Admission is moderately selective, with about 36% of applicants admitted overall, so a solid academic record helps. Admission to the nursing major or program is often a separate, competitive step with prerequisites, minimum grades, and capped enrollment. Check deadlines with the nursing department, and read our nursing school requirements guide to prepare. To work as a nurse in California, graduates apply for a license with the California Board of Registered Nursing (for RN licensure) or the Board of Vocational Nursing and Psychiatric Technicians (for LVN licensure) and pass the NCLEX. Before you commit, verify the program’s ACEN or CCNE accreditation and state approval, and compare it with other options on our California nursing schools page.
Figures come from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and can change. Confirm current details with the school.
