SDSU Named a Top University for Value Education

A degree from San Diego State University will open doors to many career opportunities, and leaves you with a little extra cash in your wallet. According to a new national ranking, the university is among the best in the country providing a great education at an appropriate value.

SDSU was named to the 2018 Princeton Review list “Colleges That Pay You Back: The 200 Schools That Give You the Best Bang for Your Tuition Buck.”

"This recognition speaks to the quality of the educational programs offered at SDSU,” said SDSU President Sally Roush. “The dedicated efforts of our faculty and staff create the foundation that students need to achieve academic, personal and professional success.”

The Princeton Review, which rates colleges and universities on a host of factors, cited SDSU’s stellar academic offerings, generous aid packages for students with financial need and merit, career services and outstanding alumni connections.

This is the first time that SDSU has been ranked in this listing, which is in its fourth edition this year. Other universities on the list include Stanford University, Yale University, MIT, University of California, Los Angeles and Texas A&M. Only seven percent of the nation’s four-year colleges made it into the book, and less than one-third are public universities.

The methodology

The Princeton Review surveyed administrators and students at more than 650 colleges during the 2016-17 academic year. The education services company considered more than 40 data points before selecting the top 200 schools for the book.

"San Diego State University stands out for its outstanding academics and comparatively low sticker price," said Robert Franek, Princeton Review's editor-in-chief and lead author of the book. "Students have access to extraordinary career services from their freshman year on, plus a lifetime of valuable alumni support."

At SDSU, students can take advantage of a variety of outstanding programs that help with career development, including the Aztec Mentor Program, Aztecs Hiring Aztecs, as well as internship and career placement opportunities facilitated through SDSU Career Services.

Climbing the ranks

SDSU receives recognition for its outstanding programs. Since 2012, SDSU has climbed 22 spots to No. 68 among public universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report ranking of America’s Best Colleges.

In addition, U.S. News & World Report also recognized the international business program as one of the best in the nation (No. 12). The undergraduate business and undergraduate engineering programs also ranked among the top 100 programs in the nation in the same listing. Several graduate programs, including rehabilitation counseling (No. 10) and the online education program (No. 22) also received high marks.

The university is further recognized as a top school for study abroad, entrepreneurship and LGBT programming.

SDSU also boasts record graduation rates. More than 75 percent of first-time freshmen who entered SDSU in fall 2011 graduated within six years. The national average six-year graduation rate for four-year public universities is 59 percent.

The university continues to be one of the most sought-after colleges in the nation, having received a record-setting 93,610 undergraduate applications for fall 2018.