About San Jose State University

Founded in 1857, San Jose State University. is a Public college. Located in California, which is a city setting in California, the campus itself is Urban. The campus is home to 26,432 full time undergraduate students, and 5,722 full time graduate students.

The San Jose State University Academic calendar runs on a Semester basis. In the school year the student to faculty ratio was 25:1. There are 742 full time instructional teachers. Degrees awarded at San Jose State University include: Bachelor's Degree, Masters Degree, Post-master's certificate, Doctor's degree.

Quick Facts

Acceptance Rate53%
Application Deadline
Application Fee55
SAT Range920-1150
ACT Range20-25

Admissions at SJSU are considered Selective, with ,82% of all applicants being admitted.

In the school year, of the students who applied to the school, only 10 of those who were admitted eventually ended up enrolling.

0% of incoming freshmen are in the top half of their high school class. 0% were in the top quarter, and 0% were in the top tenth. You can apply online.

STUDENT LIFE Reviews

We asked, and students answered these important questions about student life at San Jose State University.

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  • How would you rate on-campus housing?

    214 Students rated on-campus housing 3.5 stars. 16 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate off-campus housing?

    216 Students rated off-campus housing 3 stars. 0 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus food?

    280 Students rated campus food 3.3 stars. 11 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate campus facilities?

    300 Students rated campus facilities 3.8 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate class size?

    300 Students rated class size 3.8 stars. 25 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate school activities?

    297 Students rated school activities 3.8 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate local services?

    296 Students rated local services 4.1 stars. 40 % gave the school a 5.0.

  • How would you rate academics?

    300 Students rated academics 3.8 stars. 28 % gave the school a 5.0.

San Jose State University REVIEWS

What's your overall opinion of San Jose State University?

124 Students rated San Jose State University

Cristina - 11/11/2024

As a graduate student I do feel our professors are always present for us and the class size is great. However, campus safety does feel like an issue. I do feel there needs to be more of a security presence or measures on campus, especially at night.

Serenity - 11/10/2024

It’s a fun school if you know the right people. The campus hosts lots of fun events for students especially those living on campus. Finding parking can be difficult and housing on campus and in the surrounding areas can be difficult to get at times. It is an open campus in a downtown area so there is always something going on in the area. Parties are okay but normally stick to Greek life only or just knowing the right people. They’re lots of great places to eat in the area but definitely wouldn’t recommend walking alone because it’s not always the safest. The campus has a great recreation center that students can utilize and access to a very large library. Overall the school has good things going for it but it is very much a commuter/suitcase school.

jahin - 07/16/2024

Its a great school with many opportunities to make great connections due to the area the school is. Most teachers are accessible outside of school, and campus is very well secured, and safe for students. I wish they had halal options for food, or more seafood options.

Jesus - 04/17/2024

I enjoyed my time at SJSU. Although my major was impacted and I had to enter undeclared, counselors worked with me on a track to guarantee admission into my desired major. Coursework can get intense but I learned plenty that has helped me professionally and have fond memories looking back.

San Jose State University FAQS

  1. What is the Acceptance Rate at San Jose State University?

    The fall 2020 acceptance rate for San Jose State University is 53%. That means, out of _____ applications received in 2020 , _____ students were offered admission. The number of males who applied was _____ vs the number of females which was _____.

  2. What should every freshman at your school know before they start?

    As tempting as the opportunity may be, I would not be able to take such a risk on jeopardizing my own perspective of myself. The beliefs that I stand for conflict with the illusiveness of this question. If I were able to give myself advice on my predetermined college life, then I wouldn't have the same mindset and focus that I have at this point, defeating the whole purpose of the advice itself. Honesty and trust within myself was the clay that molded me into the motivated, studious, and slightly entertaining gentleman I am today. Telling my past-self how to live my future ultimately changes what i have worked for at the present. I've always relied on the "honest living" principle to separate me from the next person. My beliefs are equivalent to an artist's painting. I cannot start out to make a painting within an hour and expect depth and consistency. What I can do is start out with a simple stroke of the brush and make every stroke as perfect as I can possibly make it. Sooner or later I will end up with a masterpiece to be proud of.

    Read all 283 answers
  3. What do you consider the worst thing about your school? Why?

    General Education, because in general they don't educate.

    Read all 63 answers
  4. What's the one thing you wish someone had told you about freshman year?

    That it was really diverse over here. I like that because you get meet people from all over the world. You can learn different values and ideas from them. It also makes it easier to make friends because people are very friendly and they treat you with respect.

    Read all 56 answers
  5. Describe how your school looks to someone who's never seen it.

    San Jose State University is a college that encourages its students to do the best that they can do. They want to their students to succeed in life.

    Read all 50 answers
  6. Describe the students at your school.

    My classmates and peers are all extremely outgoing, each with their own unique personality and belief system.

    Read all 48 answers
  7. What's unique about your campus?

    Many resources, computers, large library for studying. Small shops in the vicinity, tech companies. Culturally diverse city. Close to recreational facilities and other cities.

    Read all 45 answers
  8. Describe your favorite campus traditions.

    My school is best known for their prestigious engineering program as well as their business program. They have the most available classes and funding out of all the majors. Given that we are located in Silicon Valley, there are plenty of opportunities for internships and work experience in this area. Our sports teams, especially football, are also one of the top ranked in California. Jeff Garcia, the former quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers, attended San Jose State as well.

    Read all 44 answers
  9. What kind of person should not attend this school?

    People who are avid learners, who really want to strive for an education. This school is great for someone who "just wants a degree". For the educational enthusiast, don't go here.

    Read all 43 answers
  10. What do you brag about most when you tell your friends about your school?

    I brag mostly about how diverse it is and how the people who are involved are very freindly. It is a good place to try out a lot of things becuase there are alot of different opportunities available.

    Read all 39 answers
  11. Here's your chance: Say anything about your college!

    San Jose State University encourages students to express themselves no matter what issue it is about.

    Read all 36 answers
  12. What's the most frustrating thing about your school?

    The most frustrating thing about San Jose State University are the major budget cuts that effects students, staff and faculty. Many classes have been cut as well as the number of students allowed in each class. Also the implemented furlough days in which the staff and faculty must not be on campus a certain number of days each semester. This decreases the instruction time each semester which does not benefit the students who enjoy learning. Also the tuition rates have increased so we are paying more and recieving less from our school.

    Read all 35 answers
  13. What kind of person should attend this school?

    Motivated, determined, and limitless potential. Are those the words that got you saying "hey, that's me!" inside that spontaneous mind of yours? If so, don't hesitate to plan a visit to San Jose State University to decide whether or not you enjoy the atmosphere that the university emits. With a diverse group of people, you are bound to love the campus.

    Read all 34 answers
  14. What is your overall opinion of this school?

    Cheap. And the competition (at least right now) isn't as intense as it was at my high school. Oh, but UNITS. 14 unit cap that lifts later, at an unknown date, to 18 units. It's almost impossible to graduate in 4 years.

    Read all 3 answers
  15. What are the academics like at your school?

    Freshman classes are pretty easy, except for my honors humanities class. Even then, it's not as stressful as it was for me in high school. (But, my high school was INTENSE.)

    Read all 2 answers
  16. What are the most popular student activities/groups?

    I don't actually know much about the social life on campus since I'm a commuter. People do often plan stuff and have parties, but I've never really been able to attend them. (1.5 hr commute.)

    Read all 1 answers
  17. What is the stereotype of students at your school?

    Smart, but not smart enough to get into the UCs. That's what I used to think, anyway.

    Read all 1 answers
  18. Is the stereotype of students at your school accurate?

    Not really. Are they ever? I got into UCs, but I opted for SJSU instead. I just killed the stereotype, didn't I?

    Read all 1 answers
  19. What is the stereotype of students at your school? Is this stereotype accurate?

    One of the most common stereotype that is present at my current school is that almost of the students at San Jose State University are either majoring in some form of engineering or in business, yet this is false. While it is true that many students do choose to major in one of the two majors mentioned above many students choose other majors such as art, computer science, or even history. These students are often over looked however and the publicly given to these students is dismally low.

    Read all 1 answers

Student Body

Students

48%

female

52%

male

26,432

Total Undergrad Enrollment

5,722

Total Grad Students

1%

Out-Of-State

94%

In-State

5%

International

Organizations

300

Student Organizations

25

Fraternities

18

Sororities

Housing

Yes

On-Campus Housing

12%

of students living on campus

Student Diversity

% American Indian/Alaskan Native
N/A
% Asian/Pacific Islander
36%
% Black or African-American
3%
% Hispanic/Latino
26%
% White or Caucasian
18%

TUITION & AID

All students must apply yearly for financial aid. This process starts with the FAFSA. Though financial aid deadlines vary by school, it is a good idea to apply as soon as possible. For the upcoming school year, you can apply as early as October 1 for the FAFSA. Additional school aid will be dependent on the FAFSA results.

69% of students attending San Jose State University receive some sort of financial aid. 39% were awarded federal grants. While 36% received federal loans. Many students do also need to apply for additional private student loans.

Cost Out of State

$18,578

Tuition and fees(Out of state)

$1,899

Books and Supplies

$14,867

Room and Board

35,344

Total On Campus

Actual Cost By Income Level(W/Financial Aid)

Family Income
Cost
$0 - $30K
$10,038
$30 - $48K
$11,577
$48 - $75K
$15,681
$75 - $110K
$19,808
$110K & UP
$22,068

We use student reviews and the most current publicly available data on our school pages. As such, we don't typically remove or edit college information. Sources for school statistics and data include the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics and the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. Portions of college data include copyrighted material, which is reproduced on this website by permission of Wintergreen Orchard House, a division of Carnegie Communications. © 2009-2016 by Wintergreen Orchard House. All rights reserved.

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