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San Diego State University

4 year • San Diego, CA

San Diego State University is a public institution that was founded in 1897. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 31,724 (fall 2022), its setting is urban, and the campus size is 560 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. San Diego State University's ranking in the 2024 edition of Best Colleges is National Universities, #105. Its in-state tuition and fees are $8,290; out-of-state tuition and fees are $20,170.

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At A Glance

Founded in 1897, San Diego State University is a major public research institution that provides transformative experiences for its more than 36,000 students. The university is known for offering transformational research , international experiences , sustainability and entrepreneurship initiatives, internships and mentoring, and a broad range of student life and leadership opportunities. Recognized as a national leader in higher education, SDSU is committed to excellence and is known for its efforts advancing diversity and inclusion . SDSU ranks No. 1 in the California State University (CSU) system for federal research output, is a long-standing Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and resides on Kumeyaay land.

SDSU is nationally recognized for its study abroad initiatives, veterans programs and support of LGBTQIA+ students, as well as its powerhouse Division I athletics program. Students have access to more than 300 student clubs and organizations, and an inclusive environment with a diverse range of programs and offerings.

SDSU was named a “Diversity Champion” by INSIGHT Into Diversity for its commitment to diversity and inclusion throughout the campus community, academic programs, and administration. The university’s rich campus life and ideal location offers opportunities for students to lead and engage with the creative and performing arts, career and internship opportunities with SDSU’s more than 500,000 living alumni, and the vibrant cultural life of the greater San Diego and U.S.-Mexico region.

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Known for its near-perfect climate, miles of sandy beaches, and fun-filled waterfront activities, the San Diego region is home to a wide range of industries, from engineering and biotechnology to agriculture and tourism. The hustle and bustle of the Gaslamp Quarter and downtown neighborhoods is complemented by the charming and eclectic beach towns of Pacific Beach, Ocean Beach, Coronado, and La Jolla.

San Diego offers a wide variety of social, cultural, and recreational activities . There aren’t many places where you can watch the sun rise in the desert, build a snowman in the mountains in the afternoon, and watch the sun set into the ocean all in one day, but this is possible in San Diego County.

SDSU is nationally recognized for academic excellence and is considered to be among the top Best Value colleges. Students, faculty, and alumni have been part of research teams that addressed important subjects like driver distraction, the effect of chemical contaminants on human health, sustainable agriculture, early childhood development, combating food insecurity, aircraft design, and more.

SDSU has a world-renowned international business program along with an exceptional engineering program . SDSU is also a hub of student invention and innovation , led by the Lavin Entrepreneurship Center and Zahn Innovation Platform. U.S. News and World Report ranked SDSU No. 30 in the nation for entrepreneurship.

The combination of experiential learning opportunities and a unique blend of coursework enables students to adopt innovative thinking and develop the competencies needed to succeed in today’s society, regardless of their educational field.

SDSU strives to help all students find their dream careers through a multitude of internships, mentoring programs, and career fairs with on- and off-campus employers.

Majors and Degrees Offered:

SDSU is an academically comprehensive university that provides endless possibilities for students including bachelor’s degrees in 97 areas, master’s degrees in 84 fields, and 23 doctoral degrees .          

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• #105 in National Universities  (tie)
• #51 in Top Public Schools  (tie)
• #178 in Best Value Schools

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SDSU is an amazing university! I began attending in 2013 right out of high school and since then, I've received my B.A. and M.S. there. I love it so much here that I'm currently pursuing my third degree. Through my time at SDSU I not only got to grow as a person but I've been challenged academically. I've also been supported by the staff on campus and have been a recipient of a grant while in graduate school and also received a scholarship while an undergrad. Because of this support, I have been able to get an amazing education almost completely debt-free. I 100% recommend SDSU!!!

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San Diego Unified students can now get guaranteed spots at CSU San Marcos

S AN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — Graduates of San Diego Unified high schools will now have guaranteed admission to California State University San Marcos after the district’s board approved a new agreement with the college on Tuesday.

District officials said that the partnership will also include expanding college preparatory and support resources for the district’s students and families, beginning in middle school.

“San Diego Unified is committed to giving every student a path to college, as well as the resources they need to prepare for a successful transition to higher education,” Deputy Superintendent Dr. Fabiola Bagula said in a statement. “We are so grateful to Cal State San Marcos for this partnership, which provides our students with access to a world class university.” 

According to the district, students will need to graduate with a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be eligible for the guaranteed placement and meet minimum CSU admission standards with their coursework, including completion of the university system’s “A-G” course requirements .

Students will also need to have been continually enrolled in the district throughout their high school career, although there are exceptions for military dependents, students experiencing homelessness and foster youth in the district.

To help students achieve these prerequisites, SDUSD said they will expand electives, curriculum and summer school opportunities to help prepare students for college-level courses, including providing increases opportunities for upperclassman to experience university-level academic work.

SDUSD schools will also begin offering more intervention and credit-recovery opportunities to students through the Cal Grant GPA Verification program, according to the district.

The district added that students and families will receive information about the CSU San Marcos partnership and how to meet the eligibility criteria beginning in seventh grade. Staff will also provide guidance to incoming seventh grade students who may be at risk of not meeting them.

CSU San Marcos will also be assigning a “Recruitment and Outreach Officer” to SDUSD schools, the district said, who will help promote college awareness, preparation and access to the guaranteed admission program.

According to SDUSD officials, the support programs will begin this summer and the class of 2025 will be the first group of seniors who will be able to seek admission at CSU San Marcos through the compact.

“This partnership with San Diego Unified School District will provide opportunities to transform the lives of more students, their families, and their respective communities,” CSU San Marcos vice president for student affairs, Dr. Viridiana Diaz, said in a release.

“We want students to envision themselves in college early on and to know that CSUSM is a great option given that many of our graduates stay in the area after college to give back to their community.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.

Cal State San Marcos guarantees admission for qualified grads of SDUSD

Qualified graduates from the San Diego Unified School District now have a guaranteed spot at Cal State University San Marcos through a new partnership that includes college prep and support for students and families starting in middle school.

Approved by the SDUSD Board of Education on Tuesday, the partnership will allow all San Diego Unified grads who meet certain criteria a spot at the North County institution.

"San Diego Unified is committed to giving every student a path to college, as well as the resources they need to prepare for a successful transition to higher education," Deputy Superintendent Fabiola Bagula said. "We are so grateful to Cal State San Marcos for this partnership, which provides our students with access to a world class university."

To qualify, students must have been enrolled in SDUSD schools from at least ninth grade — with exceptions for homeless, foster youth, and military dependents — have completed all A-G course work as required through the California State University system, meet minimum CSU eligibility requirements and graduate with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.

To help meet these requirements, San Diego Unified will prepare students with:

• A Common Core state standards-aligned mathematics curriculum for grades 6-12;
• Additional high school mathematics electives that prepare students with skills to pass college entrance exams or to meet college course requirements;
• Summer school opportunities for basic skills preparation; and
• Increased opportunities for 11th and 12th graders to experience university-level academic work at all high schools.

SDUSD will also offer expanded intervention and credit-recovery opportunities for students and submit the required Cal Grant GPA Verification by March 2 of their senior year.

"Getting into college often feels like a random lottery for so many students," said Blessyn Lavender Williams, a student Board of Education member and senior at Lincoln High School. "This agreement gives students at every San Diego Unified high school the ability to plan for college without the stress and uncertainty of increasingly competitive college admissions."

According to the district, beginning in seventh grade, students, families and staff will receive notifications about the partnership and how to meet eligibility criteria. The district will also lay out criteria for identifying and supporting incoming seventh graders who are at risk of not meeting the admission requirements.

Tours and orientations at CSUSM — along with transportation — will be organized by the district.

"The admission pipeline to Cal State San Marcos provides an incredible opportunity to students at every San Diego Unified high school by providing them with a clear path to college," Board of Education President Shana Hazan said. "This alliance shows the shared commitment of both institutions to enhance and expand educational opportunities that benefit our students, families, and the entire community."

CSUSM has pledged to assign a recruitment and outreach officer to SDUSD schools who will, "among other things, promote college awareness, preparation, and access" to the university.

The class of 2025 will be eligible to apply for admission to CSUSM under the compact.

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Summer has arrived — at least for San Diego’s tourist destinations

As San Diego prepares for a busy tourist season, it will also be celebrating this year some important anniversaries for SeaWorld, Legoland and Comic-Con

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According to the calendar, the official start of summer is still weeks away, but that didn’t stop local San Diego leaders from celebrating the arrival of the tourist season Tuesday with the help of some familiar mascots, rollerbladers and a shower of colorful streamers.

The coming Memorial Day weekend marks the start of the summer tourist season, a crucial time of year for the local economy as visitors frequent hotels, theme parks, beaches and restaurants, pumping hundreds of millions of tax dollars into government coffers. The local tourism industry is hoping to top last year’s 31.8 million visitors, which is still short of pre-pandemic numbers, although the $14.3 billion they spent set a new record.

In all, the local $22 billion tourism industry last year brought in $1 billion in sales, property and other tax revenue countywide, including $418 million in room taxes levied on overnight hotel stays.

“Tourism is essential to powering our local economy,” said Mayor Todd Gloria, who joined tourism leaders at Balboa Park to commemorate the season’s start. “Over the past year, tourism generated approximately $1 billion in tax revenues across the county. We put these revenues to work at the city of San Diego to help fund essential services and pay for public infrastructure that directly benefits local residents and businesses.”

This year happens to coincide with some major anniversary milestones in San Diego — the 20th for Petco Park and U.S.S. Midway Museum, 25th for Legoland, 35th for the San Diego Convention Center, 55th for Comic-Con International, 60th for SeaWorld San Diego, and 150th for the San Diego Museum of Natural History.

Beyond the 10.5 percent transient occupancy tax that helps fund local services, there is an additional 2 percent surcharge that goes directly toward marketing San Diego as a tourist destination.

The hotelier-run Tourism Marketing District, which oversees the spending of the 2 percent levy, expects to collect $47.3 million in the coming fiscal year. Much of that will go toward funding the San Diego Tourism Authority, which in turn will spend heavily in the coming year on advertising.

Some $28 million has been allocated for a leisure market advertising campaign that will include an expanded focus on more distant markets, like Chicago and New York.

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Inland Empire battles low college grad rates to gain higher tech jobs and businesses

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The region battles smog, traffic and other pitfalls. But its leaders see growth opportunities beyond the warehouses.

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For many Californians the Inland Empire is a view from Interstate 10 of massive warehouses and desert en route to Las Vegas or other parts of the country.

To residents of the region, which comprises Riverside and San Bernardino Counties, it’s a place of affordable housing yet interminable traffic, sweeping vistas shrouded by perpetual smog , and huge employers alongside family-owned businesses. 

More than 4.7 million people — 12% of California’s population — live in its 27,000 square miles and more are moving in, including a growing Latino population. Though the Inland Empire is a major economic hub for the state, its workers earn less than statewide averages , its homes cost about half the price of those in coastal counties, and there are fewer college graduates than in most metro areas in California. 

Lower education levels mean “we have been unable to attract higher-tech, higher pay, higher quality industry to the region,” said state Sen. Richard Roth, a Democrat from Riverside. “That’s beginning to change and it needs to change. The Inland Empire is going to have to move out of the warehouse era and move into the high-tech industry era.”

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Democrat, State Senate, District 31 (Riverside)

Inland Empire’s leaders acknowledge that the region lags behind others in California and that it’s a struggle to manage air pollution, environmental sustainability and economic growth. But several said they are working on ways to close the gaps, boost entrepreneurial opportunity and spur innovative business and higher-paying jobs. Here are some of their ideas:

Tomás Morales President, Cal State University, San Bernardino

Inland Empire’s massive warehouses increasingly are moving toward automation and expanding beyond distributing goods to manufacturing them. Tomás Morales, Cal State University Bernardino’s president, says demand for an educated workforce is increasing —  but the transition could displace some workers while shifting the job market from lower-wage positions to skilled trades and high-tech jobs.

One obstacle is the region’s low educational achievement level: 20% of Inland Empire residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, Morales said, while national and statewide averages are about 37%. 

“Clearly that’s a big challenge for the industry and a big challenge for the community: how do we prepare an educated workforce to provide leadership in the area,” Morales said.

With 88% of its 18,000 students coming from Riverside or San Bernardino Counties, Cal State San Bernardino is training a home-grown workforce for local industries, with undergraduate and graduate programs in cybersecurity, entrepreneurship and supply chain management.

The effort to educate new professionals took a hit during the COVID-19 pandemic, Morales said. The university’s four-year graduation rate of 25% and six-year rate of 55% are down from its record high of 31% and 62%, respectively, in 2020.

Faculty and administrators hope to improve graduation rates while focusing on the region’s workforce needs.

“We’re graduating students in computer science, prepared to work in the robotics space in distribution centers,” Morales said. “We’re producing managers to support logistics and supply chain management throughout the Inland Empire.”

Michael Burrows, CEO of San Bernardino International Airport

San Bernardino International Airport emerged from the site of Norton Air Force Base , which operated a military logistics depot for half a century. When the base closed in 1994, it took more than 10,000 jobs with it. 

It took decades to bring those jobs back, CEO Michael Burrows said. 

The year after the base closure, the airport began leasing vacant space to various businesses: a paper company, an aerospace firm, an RV manufacturer. Then it added charter flights and aircraft maintenance.

“In many cases we’ve seen our aircraft mechanics graduate up to other careers in aviation, to become pilots and air traffic controllers,” Burrows said.

The pace picked up with the launch of commercial air cargo, starting with UPS in 2017, FedEx in 2018, and then Amazon Air’s Southern California hub in 2021. 

“Transportation logistics are literally in our DNA,” Burrows said.

The former air force base came with 500 acres of open land, so airport officials teamed up with developers to build 16 million square feet of industrial and office space — the equivalent of about 277 football fields —  to host clients ranging from Stater Bros. grocery markets to Fender Guitar manufacturing.

By 2022 the airport and business park reported creating 17,757 direct jobs , more than the jobs lost from the base closure.

Behind the executive jet terminal, cargo planes offload freight into hangars, connecting global markets to U.S. consumers. Everything from satellite components and drones, to medical devices and transplant organs, crosses the tarmac. 

“It’s kind of like a freeway,” Burrows said. “You want it to always be open.”

One airport tenant is entirely devoted to painting planes, with a hangar equipped as a massive paint stall. It takes about eight weeks to complete an aeronautical paint job, Burrows said.

The logistics and distribution industry has generated plenty of press for the air pollution it generates. So the airport’s goal has been to go greener, Burrows said, with electric vehicles deployed in 2010 and plans for an on-site hydrogen fuel station, to produce the fuel for vehicles and ground support. 

In 2022 the airport reached another milestone with the introduction of commercial flights.

“That has been our North Star,” Burrows said.

Breeze Airways, founded by the creator of Jet Blue, offers a quirky selection of flights from San Bernardino to San Francisco, Utah, Arizona and Connecticut under the motto “ less pricey, more nicey. ”

Bansree Parikh, President, Bank of America Inland Empire

The Inland Empire is known for its commerce and for smog and traffic . Bansree Parikh aims to turn that around and position the region as a worldwide leader in “sustainable logistics.”

“That means electrification, hydrogen, technology, robotics,” Parikh said from her Ontario office.

The plan is to generate advanced manufacturing jobs in partnership with educational institutions.

“Economic development, quality of life, environmental protection; I don’t think they’re mutually exclusive at all,” Parikh said. “I think they’re complimentary.” 

Various parts of the region have their own characteristics and business opportunities, she said.

For the Coachella Valley it’s hospitality, tourism and entertainment, with boutique hotels, restaurants and golf courses. The Coachella Festival draws hundreds of thousands of music fans each year. And Disney is fusing Hollywood fantasy to resort housing, with its master-planned “Storyliving” development in Rancho Mirage.

In Temecula and Murrietta, manufacturing, bioscience, construction and business parks drive the economy, she said, along with agri-tourism at the area’s bucolic wineries. 

The High Desert runs on logistics and distribution, healthcare and commercial and residential real estate. That’s expected to get a boost with the Brightline high-speed rail project from Southern California to Las Vegas, which broke ground April 22. 

Parikh says the objective for each region is to generate enough local jobs to support the families who live there. Shorter commutes would also mean less traffic and pollution.

“It’s a quality of life game changer when you can live and work in the Inland Empire,” she said.

Juan Carlos Belliard, Assistant Vice President for Community Partnerships, Loma Linda University Health

With more than 17,000 employees, Loma Linda University Health is one of the biggest employers in the region and a highly ranked medical center. 

It encompasses a university with eight healthcare schools and six hospitals, making it both an employment hub and a workforce pipeline, said Juan Carlos Belliard, Loma Linda health’s assistant vice president.

“What I would say our region needs more of is that linkage between education and workforce,” he said. 

To support that, Loma Linda pairs with local school districts to offer summer mentorships for high school students. 

“That is getting the students to envision what it takes to become a physician or a public health professional or a nurse,” Belliard said.

Loma Linda also employs community health workers , called promotores, who survey community needs and connect residents with services for disease prevention and treatment. 

Belliard views Loma Linda’s array of services and training programs as a microcosm of the region’s entrepreneurial character.

“The focus from the outside is on the negative, what hasn’t worked here, or what used to be, and it’s too bad we don’t have what we had before,” Belliard said. “I really see the opposite of that deficit model, and see people who move here for opportunity.”

More on the california divide

California cracked down after a crash killed 13 farmworkers. Why are workers still dying on the road?

Disconnected youth: Some young Californians lack work, school options

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Deborah Brennan San Diego and Inland Empire Issues

Deborah Sullivan Brennan is the San Diego and Inland Empire reporter for CalMatters, in partnership with Voice of San Diego. She writes about life, politics, the economy and environment in Riverside and... More by Deborah Brennan

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open Colleges

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Historic Walking Tours of SDSU

Interested in learning more about your alma mater? These 12 new self-guided tours are for you. Plus, SDSU just added a name to its War Memorial.

This story was published in the Fall 2023 Issue of SDSU Magazine.

History often hides in plain sight. Scripps Park in the heart of San Diego State University is the perfect example.

As one of the most popular spots on campus, the park features plenty of scenery, including ponds with turtles and koi fish, and Scripps Cottage, the first building completed on Montezuma Mesa. But nestled among the beauty is an especially important yet often overlooked living military memorial.

Fifty years ago, San Diego State honored alumnus Lt. Col. Charles Scharf (’54, political science) and all MIAs and POWs with a plaque and a tree, a sycamore known as “The Freedom Tree.” The 32-year-old was shot down over Hanoi, Vietnam, in 1965 and was listed as MIA. But there’s much more to the story…

In 2006, Scharf’s remains — found in excavations at the crash site — were identified through a match with DNA from stamps on letters he had sent to his wife. As a result, Scharf and his mementos were buried later that year with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. He was also posthumously promoted to colonel and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart.

The Freedom Tree is a stop on one of the 12 all-new historic walking tours at SDSU. Each takes between 45 minutes to two hours. People can follow along on the SDSU Alumni app or with the book, Historic Walking Tours of SDSU, which is available through online booksellers or Aztec Shops.

There are surprises in each tour, and the themes, including pioneering women, lost student murals and athletics, aim to appeal to people of all interests. While the Freedom Tree highlights the military tour, many more treasures await Aztec walkers, including the elusive Banana Quad, the original Boiler Plant and even the artistic fate of the sycamore tree that once grew in the center of the original Aztec Student Center.

—Seth Mallios

Honoring SDSU’s Veterans

Every year during Homecoming Week in November, SDSU holds a commemoration ceremony at its War Memorial. The monolith, which is on the west side of the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union, honors alumni who have given their lives in World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Iraq and Afghanistan. It was dedicated to the university in 1996.

This year, SDSU added a new honoree to the memorial at the Nov. 3 ceremony: 1st Lt. Robert Conn Chaudoin. According to the San Marino Tribune , Chaudoin’s hometown newspaper, he enlisted in the Army as a junior at San Diego State. A platoon leader for Company C, First Battalion, 51st Infantry 101st, the 24-year-old was killed in action on March 27, 1971, in Vietnam. Twenty years later, his nephew Jeff Thielacker graduated from SDSU.

While 239 names have been inscribed over time, Chaudoin’s is the first to be added since 2016. SDSU librarian emeritus Robert Fikes discovered the distinguished veteran and submitted his name to the SDSU War Memorial Committee for consideration. “It’s essential that we continue to search for these lost heroes so we can properly and respectfully honor their ultimate sacrifice and remind ourselves that they played a role in preserving the freedoms we all enjoy today,” Fikes says.

A video of November’s ceremony is available at sdsualumni.org/WarMemorial .

—Taylor Harris

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• Tours & Events

Explore SDSU Open House

Explore sdsu admitted student day 2024.

April 13, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.

Admitted students only.

You are invited to join us for Explore SDSU Admitted Student Day and learn why now is the time to join the San Diego State University family! Explore SDSU is an open house for admitted first-year and transfer students, and is an opportunity for you and your family to engage with the SDSU faculty, staff, and current students and learn why you should join the SDSU community. Learn more about living on campus, academics, athletics, student services, and organizations, and begin to picture yourself as an SDSU Aztec!

Register today and we will email you updates about the event.

Explore SDSU Admitted Student Day is a rain or shine event.

Register Today

Plan Your Day

• Other Events
• Parking & Tips

The Explore SDSU Admitted Student Day schedule is available. View the information sessions, tours and open houses, read descriptions, plan your schedule, and determine your walking path by getting directions from your location.

Information Fair

Meet hundreds of excited students and learn all about the various student organizations on campus. Review the printable campus map to find the locations ahead of time.

• Africana Studies
• Anthropology
• Asian Studies
• Association of Anthropology Students
• Big Data Analytics
• Chicana & Chicano Studies
• Classics and Humanities
• College of Arts and Letters Student Council
• College of Arts and Letters Student Success Center
• Comparative International Studies
• English and Comparative Literature
• European Studies (French, German, Italian, Russian)
• Geography Club
• Geography Department
• International Business
• International Business Society
• International Security & Conflict Resolution Student Society
• Japanese Language Program
• Language Exchange Community
• Latin American Studies
• LGBTQ+ Studies
• Linguistics
• Political Science
• Political Science Honor Society, Pi Sigma Alpha - Gamma Upsilon Chapter
• Political Science Student Organization
• Rhetoric and Writing Studies
• Science, Technology, and Society Studies
• Social Science
• Spanish and Portuguese
• Spanish Language Society
• Study of Religion
• Sustainability
• The Roundtable Writers of SDSU
• Urban Studies
• Women's Studies
• ARC Membership
• Associated Students - Government Affairs
• Associated Students - Graduate Student Association
• A.S. Food Pantry
• Aztec Adventures
• Baseball Club
• Crew/Men's Rowing Club
• Cycling Club
• Daily Aztec
• ENS Classes/Group Fitness
• Ice Hockey Club
• Intramurals
• Men's Club Volleyball
• Men's Lacrosse Club
• Men's Soccer Club
• Men's Ultimate Frisbee Club
• Men's Water Polo Club

Mission Bay Aquatic Center

• Ski & Snowboard Club
• Tennis Club
• Triathlon Club
• Waterski & Wakeboard Club
• Women's Lacrosse Club
• Women's Rugby Club
• Women's Soccer Club
• Women's Ultimate Frisbee Club
• Women's Volleyball Club
• Women's Water Polo Club
• Athletics Internships
• Aztec Athletics
• Aztec Spirit Squads
• Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Center
• Aztec Parents Association
• Aztec Shops
• Basic Needs Center & Economic Crisis Response Team (ECRT)
• Cal Coast Student Financial Center
• Career Services
• Center for Commuter Life, Commuter Resource Center
• Center for Intercultural Relations (CIR)
• Center for Student Organizations and Activities
• Counseling & Psychological Services
• EOP, Outreach and Success
• Esports Engagement Center
• Glazer Center for Leadership and Service
• Global Education Office
• Hillel of San Diego
• Military and Veterans Program
• New Student and Family Convocation and Welcome Week
• New Student Orientation
• Office of Housing Administration
• Pierce Greek Life Center
• Project Rebound - Center for Transformative Justice
• Student Disability Services
• Student Health Services
• Student Veteran Organization
• The Pride Center
• Troops to Engineers
• Undocumented Resource Center
• Women's Resource Center
• Alt Protein Project at SDSU
• Andrés Bonifacio Samahan
• Anime and Manga Club
• Asian Pacific Student Alliance
• Badminton Team at SDSU
• Black Renaissance Theatre Organization
• Compact Scholars Student Association
• Creative Collective Magazine
• Education Without Borders
• Hispanic Serving Institution Student Advisory Board (HSI SAB)
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship Constitution
• Kolorhouse.sdsu
• Korean American Student Association (KASA)
• Latinx Student Union
• Movimiento Estudiantil Chicanx de Aztlan
• Mustard Seed Project SDSU
• Pathways Mentors
• Planned Parenthood Generation Action
• Project Rebound Student Alliance
• Psychedelic Club
• Sailing Team at SDSU
• Save Soil SDSU
• SDSU Hiking Club
• Tabletop Gaming Club
• The Women's Network (TWN)
• Tijuana Home Build
• Turning Point USA at SDSU
• Vietnamese Student Association
• XCENTRIC!SD Dance Team
• All for Education
• Child & Family Development
• Child & Family Development Student Organization
• College of Education
• Counseling and Social Change Minor and Student Organization
• Cultural Proficiency Minor
• Dual Language and English Learner Education
• Leadership Minor
• Liberal Studies
• Special Education
• Student California Teachers Association (SCTA)
• Aerospace Engineering Department
• Alpha Omega Epsilon
• American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
• American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
• Civil, Construction, Environmental Engineering Department
• Electrical & Computer Engineering Department
• Engineering Student Affairs/Center for Student Success in Engineering
• Engineers Without Borders SDSU
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
• Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA)
• Mechanical Engineering Department
• Mechatronics
• National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE)
• Rocket Project
• Women in Engineering
• Women of Astronautics and Aeronautics (WoAA)
• Gates to Success
• Student Academic Success
• Undeclared Student Council
• Weber Honors College Student Society
• Asian Business Association
• Career Management Center
• Entrepreneurship Society
• Finance and Investment Society
• Fowler Center for Student Success
• Lavin Entrepreneurship Center
• Society for Human Resource Management
• Sports Business Initiative
• TAMID Group
• Aztec Adaptive Sports
• Friends of MSF SDSU
• Graduate School of Public Health Student Council
• Health & Human Services College Council
• Kinesiology Organization Revolutionizing Exercise
• Latino Student Social Work Association
• National Student Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences Association
• Public Health Initiative
• Social Action Committee
• Student Academy of Audiology
• Student Nurses Association
• Student Nutrition Organization
• Students for Public Health
• New Student and Parent Programs
• Residential Education Office
• Student Housing Alumni
• Tours en Español
• Advertising Club
• Air Force ROTC
• American Institute of Graphic Arts
• American Society of Interior Designers
• Arnold Air Society, John Burdette Binkley Squadron
• Asian American Journalist Association
• Aztec Army ROTC
• Aztec Aviation Organization
• Aztec Music Group
• California Music Educators Association at SDSU
• Ceramic Arts Association
• Chamber Music Association of SDSU
• Collegiate Chapter of MTNA at SDSU
• Criminal Justice Student Association
• Design and Technical Association
• Film Society: "It's for the Big Screen"
• Forensics/Speech & Debate
• Furniture Design Association
• Graphic Design
• Health Communication Student Organization
• Honor Guard
• Hospitality & Tourism Management
• International Studies Minor
• Iota Eta Pi Improv Team
• Jewelry Student Co-op
• Lambda Pi Eta
• Lodging Managmenet Student Association (LMSA)
• Master's of Science in HTM
• MESA - Meetings and Events Student Association
• Music and Dance
• Musical Theatre Club
• Musicians Club at SDSU
• National Association of Black Journalists
• National Association of Hispanic Journalists
• NSMH - National Society of Minorities in Hospitality
• Phi Mu Alpha
• Photography Club
• PSFA College Council
• Public Administration Club
• Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA)
• Raptors Club
• Recreation & Tourism Management
• RSO "Phase 0"
• RTSA - Recreation & Tourism Student Association
• School of Art and Design
• School of Communication
• School of Journalism & Media Studies (SPJ)
• School of Public Affairs
• School of Theatre, Television, and Film
• SCREAM - Students Creating Rides Entertainment Attractions & Memories
• SDSU Dance Division
• SDSU FOODies
• SDSU Marching Band
• Skull and Dagger Dramatic Society
• Society of Communication and Leadership (SoCAL)
• Society of Professional Journalists
• Teatro Azteca
• Women in Criminal Justice
• Active Minds
• American Medical Student Association (AMSA)
• Artificial Intelligence Club (AI Club)
• Astronomy Department
• Aztec Game Lab (AGL)
• Aztec in Medicine
• Aztec Professional Pre-Health Organization (APPHO)
• Beta Psi Omega
• Biology Department
• Black Student Science Organization (BSSO)
• Center for the Advancement of Students in Academia (CASA)
• Chemistry & Biochemistry Department
• College of Sciences Dean's Office
• College of Sciences Student Council (CSSC)
• College of Sciences Student Success Center (CoS SSC)
• Computer Science Department
• Earth and Environmental Science Major
• FOCUS, Pre-Optometry Club
• Flying Samaritans of SDSU
• Geological Sciences Department
• Girls Who Code College Loop at SDSU
• Health Professions Advising Office
• Marine Ecology and Biology Student Association (MEBSA)
• Math and Science Learning Center
• Mathematics & Statistics Department
• MEDLIFE SDSU
• National Arab American Medical Association
• Physics Department
• Pre-Dental Organization
• Pre-Veterinary Medical Association (PVMA)
• Psy Club/PsiChi
• Psychology Club
• Psychology Department
• Schwartz Astronomical Society
• SDSU Cyber Defense Team
• Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Chapter at SDSU
• Society for Industrial and Applied Mathematics (SIAM)
• Society of Physics Students
• Society of Statisticians and Actuaries
• Student Affiliates of The American Chemical Society
• The Look Magazine
• Women in Medicine (W.I.M)
• Women in Physics
• Women in Science Society - SDSU (WSS)
• Black Transfer Student Success/Support (BTSS)
• Center for Commuter Life
• EOP Outreach and Success
• Latinx Resource Center
• Office of Admissions
• Transfer Student Outreach Alliance (TSOA)
• Cal-Coast Credit Union
• Division of Research & Innovation
• Parking and Transportation
• SDSU Alumni
• Student Research
• University Police
• University Seal of Biliteracy and Culture Competence Program (USBCC)
• Zahn Innovation Platform (ZIP) Launchpad

Pop-Up Dance Class

At 11:30 a.m., join the School of Music and Dance for a pop-up dance class.

• Campanile Walkway near the Music Building

Athletic Events

See our Division I teams in action and cheer on the Aztecs.

Women's Lacrosse vs. University of Oregon

Women's Water Polo vs. Santa Clara University

Aztec Baseball vs. University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV)

Play like an aztec.

SDSU's student government, Associated Students, supports the mission of SDSU by creating, promoting and funding social, recreational, cultural, and educational programs and facilities both on campus and in the community. Take advantage of these special offers during the weekend of Explore!

Aztec Lanes Bowling

Other Weekend Events

The Division of Student Affairs and Campus Diversity provides students with the rich and distinctive experience that is the hallmark of an SDSU education. They create diverse communities and new cultural experiences that inspire students to break down barriers and transform lives. Come out and experience these special events!

SDSU Annual Pow Wow

Gospel Fest 2024

• Google Maps

5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182

Getting to Campus

Driving and Parking

SDSU is located at 5500 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA 92182 ( Google map )

Campus Parking is Free

Campus parking is free for the day . Please park in Parking 3 (P3) , Parking 4 (P4) , Parking 1 (P1) , or Parking 12 (P12) . Allow at least 45 minutes to park prior to your first activity.

Disabled Person (DP) Parking

Disabled person parking areas are reserved for those persons with a valid DMV issued placard or plate . You may park in a DP stall as long as the disabled person's DMV placard or plate is present. Should you require special accommodations please contact Parking and Transportation Services at [email protected] .

Public Transportation

Public transportation is an excellent option for the day! You can take the trolley or bus and it will drop you off at our SDSU Transit Center, which is located next to the Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union. Learn more about our public transportation options.

Helpful Tips

• Wear comfortable shoes—there's a lot of walking.
• Bring your refillable water bottle. There are hydration stations around campus.
• Allow 45 minutes to park and find your first event.
• There is no check-in , just head over to your first event and start your day!
• Plan to be flexible with your schedule. Information sessions and tours are first come, first served, and some may reach maximum capacity .
• Visit an information booth (you'll find various locations across campus) if you need a campus map or if you have any questions.
• Ready to commit to SDSU? Visit our Intent to Enroll booth to commit to SDSU at the event! You will need to have your $400 nonrefundable deposit ready when you submit your Intent to Enroll. Both your deposit and your Intent to Enroll will be submitted online via  my.SDSU . The Finalize Your Enrollment Guide provides instructions on how to accept your offer and pay your deposit in my.SDSU.

SDSU Dining

Get a taste of what it will be like to eat like an SDSU Aztec. All of these dining locations are on the meal plans except for Trader Joe's!

Aztec Recreation Center

• Shake Smart  9 a.m.–8 p.m.

Aztec Shops Terrace

• Aztec Market  8 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Starbucks  8 a.m.–2 p.m.

Charles B. Bell Jr. Pavilion

• Aztec Market  8 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Baba's Pizza  10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Jamal's Chicken  10 a.m.–2 p.m.
• Panda Express  10:30 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Rubio's  10 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Subway  8 a.m.–10 p.m.
• The Halal Shack  10 a.m.–2 p.m.

Conrad Prebys Aztec Student Union

• Aztec Market  8 a.m–3 p.m.
• Oggi's  12–8 p.m.
• Shake Smart (in Aztec Market) 9 a.m.–3 p.m.
• Starbucks  6:30 a.m–10 p.m.
• The Habit  10:30 a.m.–10 p.m.

Cuicacalli Suites

• Aztec Market  9 a.m.–7 p.m.
• The Garden (brunch)  10 a.m–2 p.m.

South Campus Plaza

• Broken Yolk Café  8 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Epic Wings N' Things  11 a.m.–11 p.m.
• Eureka!  11 a.m.–12 a.m.
• Everbowl  9 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Poki One N Half  11 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Trader Joe's  8 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Which Wich  8 a.m.–10 p.m.

University Towers

• Aztec Market  11 a.m.–7 p.m.
• University Towers Kitchen (UTK) Grill  11 a.m.–6 p.m.

Other Locations

• Big City Bagels (Music)  8 a.m.–2:30 p.m.
• Plant Power (Aztec Walk)  11 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Starbucks at College Ave.  6:30 a.m.–8 p.m.
• Submit Your Intent to Enroll!

Accept your offer of admission in my.SDSU by May 15.

Join the SDSU Family today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Continue checking our website for updated information on sessions, activities, and more.

Yes, this event is free to all attendees.

Although registration is not required, we encourage you to register so that we can stay connected with you about this event.

If you are an admitted student and have not submitted your Intent to Enroll, please visit my.SDSU and make sure that your contact information is up-to-date. This is the contact information that we use to stay in touch with you and remind you of important deadlines. Be sure to check your email often.

After you complete your Intent to Enroll, you will receive information about your official SDSU Gmail email address. Official communication from the university will be delivered to your official SDSU Gmail email address after your Intent to Enroll is submitted . Learn more about your official SDSU email . If you need to update your mailing address or phone number, please make these updates in my.SDSU .

Have you submitted your Intent to Enroll and are officially a new student? For reminders, tips, and more sneak peeks into SDSU life as you get ready for the fall semester, follow @sdsuadmissions. And don't forget to share your Explore SDSU photos with us @sdsuadmissions for a chance to be featured on our stories or feed!

Please email [email protected] if you have any questions about Explore SDSU Admitted Student Day.

We look forward to seeing you!

20% Off Aztec Gear April 12-13! In-store Only.

Welcome to SDSU

10 Best Spots to Study on Campus

• Sara Bock - [email protected]

Published Date

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With finals week on the horizon, consider breaking away from your usual routine to find a “new-to-you” study spot on campus. Research shows that getting a change of scenery and having new, diverse experiences each day are closely tied to positive emotions and an enhanced sense of well-being. From coffee shops and academic buildings to outdoor spaces and more, UC San Diego boasts dozens of great spots to hunker down in a variety of settings. Here are 10 of UC San Diego Today’s most inviting picks:

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1. Pinpoint Café

Located in the Eckart Building at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, Pinpoint Café has become a TikTok sensation for good reason: perched above Scripps Pier, the peaceful, treehouse-like spot boasts some of the best ocean views on campus. With a menu that includes unique drinks like “blue ocean latte,” a variety of specialty toasts, acai bowls and more, it’s worth the trek to 8755 Biological Grade, where you’ll breathe in the salt air and likely decide to stay awhile.

2. Geisel Library 8th Floor

When studying in public spaces, do you often find yourself sucked into eavesdropping on other people’s conversations? If complete and utter silence is what you crave, look no further than the top floor—better known as the silent study floor—of UC San Diego’s iconic Geisel Library. Take the elevator to the 8th level , where you’ll not only find sweeping views of the campus and beyond, but also an atmosphere so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

3. 5th Floor Terrace, Sixth College

An open-air rooftop terrace connects the 5th floors of the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences buildings, located in the North Torrey Pines Living and Learning Neighborhood —home of Sixth College. There, you’ll find beautiful landscaping, a variety of tables, chairs and cushioned seats, and a bird’s-eye view of the Pacific. 

4. Fountain at the Institute of the Americas Building

Looking for peace and tranquility? Venture to the central fountain outside the Institute of the Americas Building, located just west of LionTree Arena. The building’s Spanish-style plaza, where the fountain is located, has a different vibe from the rest of the campus, and may offer just the escape you’re looking for. It’s a great place to clear your head and gear up for the finals-week marathon.

5.    Computer Science & Engineering Building, Basement Floor 

The Computer Science & Engineering Building, located in Warren College, was designed in 2002 to create a sense of community, with “interaction spaces” located throughout the building. This concept shines on the building’s basement floor, where a variety of tables and seating areas attract students to study individually or in groups. It may be a basement, but with ocean-inspired wall murals and unique design features, it feels anything but confining. 

6.    Franklin Antonio Hall 

Opened in 2022, the state-of-the-art Franklin Antonio Hall , part of the Jacobs School of Engineering, arguably has one of the most beautiful interiors on campus, with study spaces galore on both the first and second floors. The building is also home to the recently unveiled Crafted @ Minerva’s Café , which offers coffee, boba tea and fresh, organic food with a focus on sustainability. 

7. Copa Vida

Known for its lavender lattes, cortados, matcha and more, local favorite Copa Vida —which roasts its own beans—opened its campus location in 2021 on the ground floor of the Arts and Humanities building in Sixth College. Since then, it’s become a UC San Diego staple, offering ample indoor and outdoor seating for coffee and tea lovers who wish to sit and sip their favorite beverage while working, studying or writing papers.

8. Sun God Lawn

Need to connect with the Earth? Home to artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s 1983 “ Sun God ,” one of the most recognizable works in the university’s Stuart Collection , Sun God Lawn offers a sprawling green space to toss a picnic blanket or towel and get your daily dose of vitamin D while preparing for the big test. Don’t forget to wear sunscreen!

9. Hammock Swings

They may be a prime napping spot, but campus hammocks—located on the lawns of the Price Center and the Main Gym, as well as near Revelle and Marshall Colleges—can also be a great spot to park yourself with your laptop as you study for finals. Get some fresh air and sway in the breeze, and you’re sure to feel less stressed in no time. 

10. East and West Lawns, Seventh College

With a focus on our changing planet, it seems fitting that Seventh College is home to two expansive green spaces—its East and West Lawns . On both lawns, you’ll find unique and flexible tables and seating areas where you can get comfortable and focused.

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