San Diego State University Recognized as High-Value College
San Diego State University (SDSU) has been named one of the top colleges in the United States by Money magazine in its annual assessment of higher education institutions. The rankings, which were released earlier this summer, highlight SDSU as a “high value” college, emphasizing the institution’s strong academics combined with affordable tuition. This recognition stems from an evaluation of over 700 four-year public and private nonprofit colleges, considering various factors such as graduation rates, tuition costs, financial aid availability, and alumni income.
The Best Colleges in America list aims to guide students toward institutions that provide quality education without imposing excessive financial burdens. In its evaluation, SDSU received an impressive score of 4.5 out of 5 stars. The ranking particularly commended the university’s renowned research programs, diverse student population, and its advantageous location in San Diego, recognized as a growing center for science and technology.
A key highlight of the ranking was SDSU’s commitment to financial support for its students. The report noted that “almost all students receive some form of grant or scholarship to bring down the sticker price.” Supporting this, recent data from the university indicated that during the 2023–24 academic year, SDSU achieved a remarkable scholarship distribution rate of 99.92%. This milestone marked the highest rate in the university’s 128-year history. The following year, SDSU approached an even higher figure, reaching a distribution rate of 99.96%.
The SDSU Scholarship Office expressed pride in the institution’s achievements, stating, “Every dollar made available by our generous donors, augmented by institutional and state aid, is awarded directly to our students.”
One student benefiting from these financial initiatives is Spenser Vanrossum, a 20-year-old computer science major and junior at SDSU. Unlike his siblings who opted for schools farther from home, Vanrossum chose SDSU for its affordability and accessibility. “Whenever I’m at SDSU, I feel right at home,” he stated. The scholarship he received, linked to his father’s military service, has significantly impacted his college experience, allowing him to pursue his studies with less financial strain.
In addition to financial aid, Money recognized SDSU for its impressive graduation rates. The university’s data revealed that the four-year graduation rate for the fall 2020 cohort was nearly 61% for students in San Diego and just over 61% at SDSU Imperial Valley. CSU Chancellor Mildred García remarked in a press release, “The tremendous scale at which we are graduating and serving students across the CSU is truly impactful, and indeed unmatched among four-year higher education systems.”
This year’s rankings featured all campuses within the California State University (CSU) system, with each institution achieving four stars or higher. Notably, 15 CSU campuses ranked in the top 10% nationwide. In its statement, Money praised CSU schools as “engines of social mobility,” highlighting their success in enrolling and graduating low-income and minority students.
The recognition of SDSU and the CSU system underscores the increasing importance of providing accessible education that aligns with the financial realities facing many students today. As institutions like SDSU strive to support their student communities through scholarships and robust academic programs, they continue to shape the future of higher education in the United States.
