76%
Graduation Rate
2%
Transfer-out Rate
91%
Retention Rate
[updated for 2024-2025 graduation data]
At San Diego State University, the graduation rate is 76 % within 150% normal time, the retention rate is 91 %, and the transfer-out rate is 2 %, as of August 31, 2025.
Its graduation rate is higher than the average rate when comparing similar colleges' rate of 56.21% (public Research University with high research activity).
Graduation Rates in Reasonable Completion Time
For the academic year 2024-2025, 4,315 students out of 5,646 candidates have completed their courses within 150% normal time (i.e. in 6 years for 4-year BS degree) at San Diego State University.
By gender, 1,698 male and 2,617 female students graduated the school last year completing their jobs in the period.
| Candidates | Completers | Graduation Rates |
| Total | 5,646 | 4,315 | 76.43% |
| Men | 2,373 | 1,698 | 71.55% |
| Women | 3,273 | 2,617 | 79.96% |
Graduation Rate By Race/Ethnicity
The following table shows graduation rate by race and at San Diego State University.
- American Indian or Alaska Native: 64.71%
- Asian: 82.66%
- Black (Non-Hispanic): 69.43%
- Hispanic: 72.40%
- White: 78.95%
- Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: 84.62%
- Two or More Race: 75.97%
- Unknown: 79.34%
Graduation Rate by Gender
| Total | Male | Female |
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 64.71%(11/17) |
66.67%(2/3) |
64.29%(9/14) |
|---|
| Asian | 82.66%(677/819) |
77.94%(265/340) |
86.01%(412/479) |
|---|
| Black (Non-Hispanic) | 69.43%(159/229) |
60.40%(61/101) |
76.56%(98/128) |
|---|
| Hispanic | 72.40%(1,115/1,540) |
64.96%(406/625) |
77.49%(709/915) |
|---|
| White | 78.95%(1,699/2,152) |
76.40%(680/890) |
80.74%(1,019/1,262) |
|---|
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 84.62%(11/13) |
33.33%(1/3) |
100.00%(10/10) |
|---|
| Two or More Race | 75.97%(313/412) |
69.75%(113/162) |
80.00%(200/250) |
|---|
| Unknown | 79.34%(96/121) |
82.35%(42/51) |
77.14%(54/70) |
|---|
Transfer-out and Retention Rates
At San Diego State, the transfer-out rate is 1.79%. Its transfer-out rate is much lower than the average rate when comparing similar colleges' rate of 18.69%.
San Diego State's retention rate is 91% for full-time students and 79 % for part-time students last year. Its retention rate is relatively higher than the average rate when comparing similar colleges' rate of 77.30%.
Non-Resident Alien Graduation Rate
A non-resident alien student is not a US citizen/green card holder and studies with a student visa, such as an F visa, in the United States. At San Diego State University, 234 of 343 non-resident alien students completed their studies and the graduation rate was 68.22%.