San Diego State University
(SDSU)
Part of California State University System
About
San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public research university in San Diego, California, United States. Founded in 1897, it is the third-oldest university and southernmost in the 23-member California State University (CSU) system. SDSU is the oldest higher education institution in San Diego; its academic roots were established as a normal school in University Heights, then known as the San Diego Normal School. In the fall of 2025, the university enrolled a record 41,184 students.
Ranked Top 501 worldwide across 4 major ranking systems
Ranked in 45 subject rankings
Ranking Overview
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
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Key Facts
Historical Trend
QS
THE
ARWU
US News
Top Subjects
Subject Rankings
ARWU
22 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation Science & Technology | 151-200 | - | 2021 |
| Nursing | 151-200 | - | 2019 |
| Communication | 151-200 | - | 2025 |
| Psychology | 151-200 | - | 2025 |
| Earth Sciences | 201-300 | - | 2025 |
| Geography | 201-300 | - | 2024 |
| Telecommunication Engineering | 201-300 | - | 2021 |
| Economics | 201-300 | - | 2025 |
| Law | 201-300 | - | 2024 |
| Education | 201-300 | - | 2025 |
| Hospitality & Tourism Management | 201-300 | - | 2023 |
| Ecology | 301-400 | - | 2025 |
| Atmospheric Science | 301-400 | - | 2025 |
| Political Sciences | 301-400 | - | 2022 |
| Business Administration | 301-400 | - | 2025 |
| Management | 301-400 | - | 2017 |
| Electrical & Electronic Engineering | 401-500 | - | 2025 |
| Environmental Science & Engineering | 401-500 | - | 2022 |
| Biological Sciences | 401-500 | - | 2020 |
| Human Biological Sciences | 401-500 | - | 2018 |
| Clinical Medicine | 401-500 | - | 2023 |
| Public Health | 401-500 | - | 2025 |
THE
10 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Education | 301–400 | 36.3 | 2026 |
| Psychology | 301–400 | 38.3 | 2026 |
| Clinical & Health | 501–600 | 33.9 | 2026 |
| Life Sciences | 601–800 | 29.3 | 2026 |
| Business & Economics | 601–800 | 28.8 | 2026 |
| Arts & Humanities | 601–800 | 16.8 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | 801–1000 | 23.4 | 2026 |
| Engineering & Technology | 801–1000 | 27.1 | 2026 |
| Physical Sciences | 801–1000 | 27.5 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences | 801–1000 | 21.6 | 2026 |
QS
4 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & Forestry | 301-350 | - | 2020 |
| Life Sciences & Medicine | 501-520 | - | 2023 |
| Biological Sciences | 551-600 | - | 2020 |
| Business & Management Studies | 601-650 | - | 2025 |
US News
9 subjects|
Subject
|
Rank
|
Score
|
Year
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychiatry/Psychology | =312 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Public, Environmental and Occupational Health | 373 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Geosciences | =430 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Social Sciences and Public Health | 437 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Neuroscience and Behavior | 463 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Environment/Ecology | =555 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Clinical Medicine | =769 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Computer Science | =935 | 44.3 | 2026 |
| Engineering | =1,285 | 44.3 | 2026 |