San Diego State University is a public research university in San Diego, California, and one of the largest campuses in the California State University system. Founded in 1897 as the San Diego Normal School, SDSU has evolved from a teacher-training institution into a comprehensive university with undergraduate, graduate and doctoral education, major research activity and strong regional engagement. Its main campus is located in the College Area of San Diego, with additional programs and locations that extend its reach in the region. SDSU serves a highly diverse student body and combines broad academic offerings with an urban, internationally connected setting near major industries, public agencies and the U.S.–Mexico border. The university offers programs across arts and letters, business, education, engineering, health and human services, professional studies and fine arts, and sciences. Current university information lists 97 bachelor’s, 84 master’s and 23 doctoral programs, alongside credentials and certificate options. Students can study areas such as accounting, aerospace engineering, biology, business, computer science, education, engineering, film and media, hospitality, nursing, public health, psychology and social sciences. Research, community partnerships, creative work, study abroad, internships and service learning are embedded across many disciplines. SDSU’s research mission has expanded substantially, and the university is classified among institutions with very high research activity. Faculty and students work on public health, climate and environmental science, engineering, border and regional studies, entrepreneurship, social science, education, communication, biomedical research and other fields. San Diego itself is a major asset for students because the region includes biotechnology and health companies, defense and aerospace organizations, technology firms, government agencies, schools, tourism enterprises, creative industries and nonprofit organizations. For fall 2027, the first-year application opens August 1, 2026 and the official California State University filing period runs from October 1 through November 30. First-year applicants complete the required A-G college-preparatory course pattern and apply through Cal State Apply. Admission is competitive and impacted programs can require stronger academic profiles than minimum CSU eligibility. International applicants follow additional credential and English-language procedures. For 2026-27, California-resident undergraduates have published CSU basic tuition of $6,838 plus $2,942 in campus fees, totaling $9,780 before living costs. The standard on-campus resident cost-of-attendance budget is $36,432. Nonresident undergraduates add $14,130 in nonresident tuition, and certain incoming out-of-state or international students also have an additional annual fee. Scholarships are available through the Aztec Scholarships portal, which matches eligible students to hundreds of university awards. Career Services supports jobs, internships, mentoring and employer engagement. SDSU reports that about 87% of students participate in work experience before graduation and highlights extensive industry relationships, while avoiding a misleading single placement percentage for every academic program. Its regional mission also includes extensive community engagement across San Diego and Imperial County.