Cost of Attendance
The California State University (CSU) makes every effort to keep student costs to a minimum. Fees listed in published schedules or student accounts may need to be increased when public funding is inadequate. Therefore, CSU must reserve the right, even after fees are initially charged or initial fee payments are made, to increase or modify any listed fees. All listed fees, other than mandatory systemwide fees, are subject to change without notice, until the date when instruction for a particular semester or quarter has begun. All CSU listed fees should be regarded as estimates that are subject to change upon approval by the Board of Trustees, the Chancellor, or the Presidents, as appropriate. Changes in mandatory systemwide fees will be made in accordance with the requirements of the Working Families Student Fee Transparency and Accountability Act (Sections 66028 - 66028.6 of the Education Code).
Official university tuition and fees can be found on the The University Bursar website.
Calculate Your Bill
Use this form to estimate the amount you will owe the university after your financial aid is applied to your account:
California Assembly Bill 990 Disclosure
In accordance with California Assembly Bill 990, the average rent for a one bedroom apartment in the San Diego State University area is $2,600 per month. (Updated March 2024)
The Room and Board expenses included in the off-campus Cost of Attendance represent the typical costs students pay when enrolled at San Diego State University. A particular student's actual room and board costs may vary. Many students living off-campus have roommates, which significantly decreases their housing costs.
What is cost of attendance?
Cost of Attendance (COA) is the estimated cost to attend SDSU during the 9-month academic year.
While your individual costs may vary, the COA reflects a modest, adequate living allowance. Your individual circumstances, discretionary expenses, or spending styles may not be the same as the standard COA.
Your financial aid award will be based on the standard COA.
- Cost of attendance (table layout): Review the estimated cost to attend SDSU for an academic year for undergraduate, out-of-state, graduate, and teaching credential students.
- Net price: How to calculate the approximate net price that you and your family should expect to pay using your own funds.
- Housing and meal costs: Estimating your specific cost for the campus housing room type and meal plan you select.
- Request a loan increase: In some cases, certain documented expenses can be considered for an adjustment to increase your student or parent loan. See how to document expenses to request an increase to your loan.
Your housing status
Beginning with the 2024-25 aid year, the FAFSA no longer has a question about a student's housing arrangements. To determine housing status SDSU makes assumptions based on other FAFSA, admissions, and student records data.
- First and second year undergraduate dependent students (those required to provide parent information on their FAFSAs) who were admitted from outside SDSU's service area are assigned an on campus cost of attendance.
- Students with actual housing charges on their SDSU account are assigned an on campus cost of attendance (housing charges typically begin appearing on student accounts in July).
- Independent students (those not required to provide parent information on their FAFSAs) are assigned an off campus cost of attendance.
- Dependent undergraduate students whose permanent address is within 25 miles of SDSU are assigned a living with parents cost of attendance.
If your assumed housing status is incorrect, please contact the Cal Coast Student Financial Center for guidance on correcting it.