Student Enrollment

Current student body demographics and enrollment patterns at San Diego State University

San Diego, CA

Total Enrollment

39,241

Currently enrolled students

Program Options

300

300 programs

Full-Time Students

30,228

3,822 part-time

Total FTE

34,943

Full-time equivalent students

Student-Faculty Ratio

22:1

Students per faculty member

What Is the Student Body Size?

Training Program Focus

177
Certificate Graduates
Short-term specialized training
10849
Total Recent Graduates

With 39,241 students, San Diego State University is a large institution offering diverse educational programs and extensive facilities. The school offers 300 specialized programs designed for immediate workforce entry.

How Do Students Attend?

Attendance Status Distribution

Full-Time Students 30,228 (88.8%)
88.8%
Part-Time Students 3,822 (11.2%)
Total Students 34,050

Predominantly full-time students (88.8%), typical of traditional academic programs.

Full-Time
Part-Time

A majority of students (77.0%) attend full-time, with a significant part-time population balancing work and studies.

Who Are the Students?

Student Demographics

Gender Distribution

Gender Split
Women
57.5%
22,552 students
Men
42.5%
16,689 students

Race/Ethnicity Distribution

Primary Ethnic Group
Hispanic/Latino
35.6%
13,974 students
Hispanic/Latino
35.6% (13,974)
White
33.6% (13,201)
Asian
12.9% (5,063)
Two or More Races
6.7% (2,626)
Black/African American
3.7% (1,436)
International Students
3.6% (1,416)
Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander
0.3% (119)
American Indian/Alaska Native
0.2% (91)

Demographics Summary

Gender: Balanced gender distribution across 39,241 students

Largest Ethnic Group: Hispanic/Latino students make up 36% of the student body (13,974 students)

The student body reflects diverse backgrounds and demographics.

Interested in Academic Quality & Learning Environment?

Explore retention rates, student-faculty ratios, distance education options, and academic intensity on our dedicated Academics page.

View Academics Page

How Are Students Distributed by Level?

Undergraduate students

34,050 students

44% Men, 56% Women
30,228 Full-time 3,822 Part-time
Diversity Index: 73% • Minority Students: 53%

Graduate students

5,191 students

36% Men, 64% Women
3,148 Full-time 2,043 Part-time
Diversity Index: 76% • Minority Students: 48%

What Are the Attendance Patterns?

Full-Time Students

All Full-Time

33,376
All full-time students
13,949 men, 19,427 women
Diversity: 73%

FT Undergraduate

30,228
Full-time undergraduate
12,951 men, 17,277 women
Diversity: 73%

FT Degree-Seeking

30,048
Full-time degree/certificate-seeking
12,882 men, 17,166 women
Diversity: 73%

FT First-Time

6,095
Full-time first-time students
2,469 men, 3,626 women
Diversity: 72%

FT Continuing

23,953
Full-time continuing students
10,413 men, 13,540 women
Diversity: 73%

FT Transfer

4,483
Full-time transfer students
2,129 men, 2,354 women
Diversity: 69%

FT Continuing

19,470
Full-time other continuing
8,284 men, 11,186 women
Diversity: 73%

FT Non-Degree

180
Full-time non-degree seeking
69 men, 111 women
Diversity: 4%

FT Graduate

3,148
Full-time graduate students
998 men, 2,150 women
Diversity: 76%

Part-Time Students

All Part-Time

5,865
All part-time students
2,740 men, 3,125 women
Diversity: 74%

PT Undergraduate

3,822
Part-time undergraduate
1,868 men, 1,954 women
Diversity: 73%

PT Degree-Seeking

3,606
Part-time degree/certificate-seeking
1,784 men, 1,822 women
Diversity: 72%

PT First-Time

67
Part-time first-time students
33 men, 34 women
Diversity: 70%

PT Continuing

3,539
Part-time continuing students
1,751 men, 1,788 women
Diversity: 72%

PT Transfer

735
Part-time transfer students
328 men, 407 women
Diversity: 69%

PT Continuing

2,804
Part-time other continuing
1,423 men, 1,381 women
Diversity: 72%

PT Non-Degree

216
Part-time non-degree seeking
84 men, 132 women
Diversity: 67%

PT Graduate

2,043
Part-time graduate students
872 men, 1,171 women
Diversity: 75%

Understanding Student Categories

First-Time: Students starting their first postsecondary program

Continuing: Students who previously enrolled and are returning

Transfer: Students who transferred from other institutions

Degree-Seeking: Students enrolled in certificate or degree programs

Non-Degree: Students taking courses without pursuing a formal credential

What Is the Diversity Picture?

Undergraduate students

11,550
White
1,239
Black/African American
12,239
Hispanic/Latino
4,511
Asian
873
International
Diversity Index: 73% Minority Students: 53%

Graduate students

1,651
White
197
Black/African American
1,735
Hispanic/Latino
552
Asian
543
International
Diversity Index: 76% Minority Students: 48%

Want to See Student Success & Outcomes?

Explore completion rates, transfer patterns, and detailed 8-year student outcome tracking on our dedicated Student Outcomes page.

View Student Outcomes

Student Life & Campus Experience

Diverse Student Community

Students from various backgrounds come together to learn career-focused skills in a supportive environment.

Flexible Scheduling

Many students balance work and family commitments with their studies through part-time and evening programs.

Career-Focused Learning

Students are goal-oriented, seeking practical skills and credentials that lead directly to employment opportunities.

AI-generated illustration of diverse students on a college campus with enrollment statistics, charts showing student demographics, attendance patterns, and campus life activities

Key Takeaways About San Diego State University's Student Body

Training Environment: Large institution with 39,241 students offering extensive programs and state-of-the-art facilities.
Study Patterns: Primarily full-time students (77.0%) in a traditional academic setting.
Academic Intensity: 34,943 FTE students indicates mix of full-time and part-time study patterns.
Learning Format: Hybrid learning approach with 68% taking some online courses.
Academic Environment: Good student-faculty ratio (22:1) allows for meaningful instructor interaction.
Student Diversity: Highly diverse student body with excellent representation across ethnic and racial groups.
Learning Environment: Students benefit from career-focused education with hands-on training, experienced instructors, and support services designed to help them achieve their professional goals.
Community: The student body includes diverse learners from various backgrounds, creating a rich learning environment where students can network and learn from each other's experiences.

Contact Information

Address

5500 Campanile Dr

San Diego, CA 92182-0001

Student Success

The student body at colleges often includes:

  • • Working adults seeking career changes
  • • Recent high school graduates
  • • Military veterans using education benefits
  • • Students upgrading skills in their field
  • • Individuals seeking fast-track credentials
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