SDSU Welcomes Record-Setting Class of 2026
The first-year student class is off to a strong start with record-breaking enrollment numbers, high GPAs and new opportunities.
Following a record number of applications, San Diego State University is on track to welcome the largest class of first-year students to the campus community this fall.
Between October and December of 2021, SDSU received nearly 77,000 first-time student applications, the highest number ever. This number, combined with additional funding from the California State University system has made it possible for SDSU to admit and enroll the largest class of first-time students in university history – at nearly 6,500 students. These students are from around the region, country and world representing 45 different states and 46 countries.
Brighton Martsolf-Tan, a first-time student from Vermont who will be joining SDSU’s communications program in the fall, says she always knew she wanted to attend a school in California and SDSU felt right.
“After visiting the campus and completing my tour at SDSU, I was eager to get my application in. I was immediately captivated by the new urban environment, a diverse student population, the many academic opportunities, great food and, of course, the beach and year-round warm weather that I would have access to at SDSU,” said Martsolf-Tan.
The largest class of first-time students also bring with them high-grade point averages with the average GPA at about 3.9. Of these high achieving students, more than 1,900 are from the local service area, an increase of 23% from last fall.
One of those students is Ashleigh Quevedo, a born and raised San Diegan and first-time student majoring in nursing. Quevedo says she wanted to stay close to home and her family and liked what SDSU had to offer.
“I love the social life at SDSU, there are lots of things going on and the campus is very diverse,” Quevedo said. “I am a first-generation college student in my family and it makes me so proud that I am able to do something my immigrant parents didn't have the opportunity to do. I am so excited to be able to grow and learn more about myself in a new setting with people with similar and different backgrounds.”
Stefan Hyman, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management, said the university is especially excited to welcome the Class of 2026 this fall.
“Given the challenges they faced over the last two years, and the record applicant pool from which they were chosen, they certainly earned their admission and we’re eager to support them in the next step of their journeys,” Hyman said.
Local Transfers on the Rise
Staying local and looking to transfer students, SDSU is welcoming one of the largest transfer classes in university history with 3,900 students and two-thirds of them are from the university’s local service area. This increase can be attributed to a CSU systemwide effort to strengthen the community college pipeline to CSU campuses and SDSU’s effort to expand access to all.
Alexandria Ramseier was born in Okinawa, Japan to a military family. For her, California and San Diego always felt like home because of the military-connected community and resources. She spent two years at MiraCosta college before transferring to SDSU.
“The location, the finances and the potential at SDSU all seemed to align in one perfect decision for me. At my community college, our transfer center held workshops about transferring basics and navigating different college applications such as the CSU application and it was easier than expected,” Ramseier said.
“Plus, at my time in community college, I came across a lot of SDSU alumni who told me their experiences and encouraged me to apply. I can’t wait to meet future friends, learn exciting things for my career and just experience this next chapter in my life.”
Ramseier feels a key to succeeding in a new environment is finding a community and before her time even begins on campus, she has plans to join the Transfer Student Outreach Alliance (TSOA) to connect with other transfer students and help create a community for herself and others.
“I will be transferring into SDSU which will be a unique experience, but I am excited to say that I will be serving with TSOA on their officer board. Through meeting other transfers, I have learned there is a certain unawareness surrounding them whether that involves their social lives or opportunities available at SDSU. Personally, I believe the transfer community is there, but it needs a brighter beacon and I believe the incoming student officers and I are going to do our best to shine it over the incoming and current transfers this year.”
New Opportunities at San Diego State University Imperial Valley
The efforts to expand access extends to the SDSU Imperial Valley campus as well. In Fall 2022, SDSU Imperial Valley will welcome its first cohort for two different programs, the first class of students participating in the Archway Program, which provides Imperial Valley students access to more academic programs on the San Diego campus and the first class of students enrolled in the new nursing major.
