Since its founding in 1897, the university has grown to become a leading public research university. Each year, SDSU provides more than 36,000 students with the opportunity to participate in an academic curriculum distinguished by direct contact with faculty and an international emphasis that prepares them for a global future.
Now in its 121st year, San Diego State University can take pride in more than a century of achievement in education, research and service. SDSU ranks in the top 10 for students studying abroad and for ethnic and diversity; Forbes, Fortune and U.S. News & World Report rank it top 25 for entrepreneurship; and the university has produced 88 Fulbright student scholars since 2005.
We are one of top 60 public research universities in the nation. Research at SDSU engages our students in education and provides discoveries, interventions and solutions that better the world. Our researchers are educators, scholars, humanitarians, scientists, engineers, health poviders, creatives and students.
The Office of Advising and Evaluations is a critical component in a collaborative network of campus resources. Our highly skilled and experienced advisers provide academic advising in General Education and Graduation requirements as well as clarify University academic policy and procedure. We implement the Student Success goals outlined in the University's Strategic Plan by advising our diverse undergraduate population. We educate and empower students to become self-advocates for their educational and professional goals.
Studyportals ranking look at the scores of the most used ranking systems and present you with one number of how well this University performs.
By Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Dropped 100 places compared to 2025
ARWU World University rankings is the first world university ranking. It ranks the world's top 1000 colleges and universities based on objective indicator. They look at the number of award-winning (Fields Medals and Nobel Prize) scientists who are located there, how much of their research is cited and referenced around the world, and how much they've contributed to different academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, ARWU ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|
| 501 | 501 | 601 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By U.S. News & World Report
Dropped 110 places compared to 2026
Best Global Universities Rankings by U.S. News & World Report presents all the top universities from the U.S. and 60 other countries around the world. They measure the rate of students going to their second year of studies, as well as the rate of students who graduate. It also asks university representatives on the performance of universities, and evaluates university resources, teacher salaries, graduation rates, student academic achievements and satisfaction. After calculating and comparing these criteria, U.S. News ranks the top international universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 708 | 822 | 932 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By TopUniversities
Dropped 200 places compared to 2026
QS World University Rankings is one of the top international rankings measuring the popularity and performance of universities all over the world. They measure university reputation based on the impressions of higher education experts, companies who hire graduates, and teaching quality. QS also considers the ratio of international teachers and students present at universities, as well as the times research papers were mentioned by researchers. After calculating and comparing these criteria, QS ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| 1001 | 1001 | 1201 |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
By Times Higher Education
This university doesn’t have a ranking for 2027 yet. Rankings are updated yearly, so check back later for the latest info.
World University Rankings is a vital resource that provides the definitive list of the world's best universities. They look at how often they're producing new ideas, what their reputation is around the world, and how much they're contributing to science and academic fields. After calculating and comparing these criteria, THE ranks the universities accordingly.
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| - | 1001 | - |
We don’t have enough recent ranking data to show a 3-year trend for this university.
SDSU consists of eight academic colleges, each of which has its own governing student body, the College Council. The Graduate Student Association (GSA) plans and coordinates programming relevant to the graduate student experience at the university.
All students, with and without disabilities, come to the university with their own set of experiences and learning styles. For this reason, it is important to consider student access to instructional material presented in the classroom and electronically.
The Library and Information Access has both open study rooms that can be used on a first-come, first-use basis, and rooms that can be reserved for 3 or more students. Study room use is available to SDSU students, faculty and staff only.
Student Health Services (SHS) is staffed by fully licensed and certified health professionals who are dedicated to the college community. No-cost or low-cost medical services include outpatient evaluation and treatment of common medical problems, preventive care, health counseling, immunizations and psychiatric treatment.
Whether you’re new to campus or an Aztec for Life, you’ll find SDSU offers something for everyone, from Aztec Nights festivities to a variety of student organizations and other involvement and leadership opportunities.
When you're not busy studying in the library, or working on your career, you can take in an Aztec sporting event with any one of our Division 1A men's and women's teams.
Take a moment to learn about our campus traditions throughout the year, including Homecoming Week in the fall and GreenFest in the spring.
Established in 1943, San Diego State University Research Foundation (SDSURF) is a non-profit auxiliary corporation authorized by California's Education Code to support San Diego State University. Our mission is to support and further the vision and research objectives of San Diego State University and to help faculty and staff find, attract and administer their research and sponsored programs.
Based on 46 reviews
SDSU isn�t just about the weather and palm trees... it�s a place where you actually have to show up and put in the work. Classes can be competitive, and it�s easy to fall behind if you don�t stay organized, but that pressure pushes you to become more disciplined. The campus feels energetic almost all the time, which makes it easy to meet people but sometimes hard to focus. Still, once you find your routine, SDSU becomes a place where you grow steadily, gain confidence, and start taking your goals more seriously.
The academic environment at SDSU is supportive, with professors who are not only experts in their fields but also genuinely invested in students' growth. I have personally seen how these elements equip students with the skills and confidence needed to thrive in the workforce.
Studying Arts at SDSU is a thoughtful and enriching experience that combines creativity with critical thinking. The program encourages you to explore ideas from different perspectives, whether through writing, design, or cultural studies, while still giving you room to develop your own artistic voice. Some courses can feel theory-heavy at times, but they really help you understand the meaning behind creative expression. The professors are supportive and genuinely interested in your growth, and the campus environment strikes a nice balance between calm and inspiration. It�s a place where curiosity is valued, creativity is nurtured, and every project feels like a step toward something meaningful.
The Global Student Satisfaction Awards empower students across the globe to determine the best universities of 2025. Universities with a score above 4.0 (out of 5) in any of the 7 award categories, receive Badges of Excellence. Congratulations!
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