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San Jose State University
San Jose State University says yes to 84.6% of applicants. Focus less on getting in and more on what's below — starting with the $78,988 median earnings.
Not sure where you stand? Estimate your GPA →
San Jose State University sits in San Jose proper — a public campus woven into the city rather than walled off from it.
35.2% of undergraduates carry Pell grants — a plain read on who the campus actually serves. Most of its 27,601 undergraduates commute — campus empties by evening — yet 86.8% of first-years return, which says something about what daytime here is worth.
San Jose State University won't look at test scores — here the GPA calculator is the tool that matters. Bring your saved semester numbers and see what they average.
Admissions
In the Fall 2023 cycle, San Jose State University received 35,780 applications and admitted 28,708 (80.2%), with 4,520 enrolling.
Leave the SAT prep out of this one — test scores are disregarded entirely. San Jose State University's 84.6% admission rate turned on grades and application strength.
How San Jose State University compares
| San Jose State University | California median | National median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 84.6% | 75.7% | 77.2% |
| Tuition (in-state) | $8,410 | $23,000 | $19,591 |
| Median earnings (10 yr) | $78,988 | $64,778 | $53,781 |
Earnings data favors San Jose State University: $78,988 median at year ten, versus $64,778 across California institutions.
Cost, size & completion
In-state students pay $8,410 in tuition; crossing a state border raises that to $21,010. For non-residents, San Jose State University's $21,010 is the number to weigh against private options before assuming public means cheaper.
San Jose State University is a big school: 27,601 undergraduates at last count.
69.2% graduate within six years. Roughly 31% don't — ask a San Jose State University tour guide what happens to them and watch the answer carefully.
Frequently asked questions
What GPA and test scores do you need for San Jose State University?
San Jose State University doesn't look at test scores; its 84.6% admission rate turned on transcripts, coursework rigor and the application itself.
What is San Jose State University's acceptance rate?
80.2% in the Fall 2023 cycle — 28,708 admitted from 35,780 applicants.
How much does San Jose State University cost?
In-state tuition is $8,410; out-of-state students pay $21,010. Fees, housing and aid move the real total in both directions.
What do San Jose State University graduates earn?
Federal data puts median earnings at $78,988 ten years after enrolling.
Similar colleges in California
- University of San Francisco — 61.7% admitted
- Vanguard University of Southern California — 62.4% admitted
- University of Redlands — 82.7% admitted
- Southern California Institute of Architecture — 76.6% admitted
Run your own numbers
Data: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (Jun 2026), IPEDS ADM2023/HD2024. Retrieved 2026-09-01. Figures reflect the latest federal cohorts, which lag the current admissions cycle.