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San Jose State University

7.6(12)
VerifiedPublicEstd. 1857
Founded
1857
Type
Public
University Guide

About San Jose State University

Explore overview, courses, fees, admissions, campus life, scholarships and student accommodation guidance in one premium Admistay guide.

San Jose State University (SJSU), established in 1857, is a prominent public institution located in San Jose, California. It is ranked #1 in the best-value public universities West in US News ranking 2025. The university offers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in 250 areas of study. SJSU is an essential partner in the economic, cultural, and social development of Silicon Valley and California.

You can apply for San Jose State University admissions in Fall, Spring, and Summer intakes. For Fall 2025 admissions, the application deadline is April 1, 2025. Graduate programs have varying deadlines from February to May. For admissions, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (Grade ‘B’, or 83-86%) and meet English language requirements in TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or Duolingo). The minimum accepted score is 6.5 on IELTS or equivalent in other exams to study in USA.

Table of Contents
  1. San Jose State University Rankings
  2. San Jose State University Courses and Fees
  3. San Jose State University Admissions
  4. San Jose State University Campus
  5. San Jose State University Cost of Attendance
  6. San Jose State University Scholarships
  7. San Jose State University Job Outcomes
  8. FAQs

San Jose State University Rankings

San Jose State University QS ranking is #1181-1200 in Sustainability Ranking 2025. Other popular San Jose State University rankings are given below:

Category US News Ranking 2025
Regional Universities West #4
Top Public Schools #3
Best Value Schools #11
Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs #15
#9 for Computer
#10 for Electrical / Electronic / Communications
#218 for Nursing
#214 for Economics
Best Colleges for Veterans #3
Top Performers on Social Mobility #12

San Jose State University Courses and Fees

Check out some of the popular courses and fees of San Jose State University.

San Jose State University Top Courses & Fees

Courses Annual Tuition Fees (INR) Annual Tuition Fees
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Chemical Engineering ₹ 5723141 USD 68,475
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Business Administration, Concentration in General Business ₹ 5723141 USD 68,475
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Civil Engineering ₹ 5723141 USD 68,475
Bachelor of Science [B.S], Computer Science ₹ 5723141 USD 68,475
Bachelor of Arts [B.A], Psychology ₹ 5723141 USD 68,475
Master of Science [M.S], Biotechnology ₹ 5211547 USD 62,354
Master of Business Administration [M.B.A], Professional ₹ 5888545 USD 70,454
Master of Science [M.S], Accountancy ₹ 5888545 USD 70,454


San Jose State University Admissions

San Jose State University acceptance rate is 80%. This university accepts all applications from international students, exchange visitors, and other non-immigrant classifications. The timelines for international students seeking admission to SJSU are as follows:

Study Level Parameter Dates
Undergraduate Fall 2025 Deadline April 1, 2025
Work in Progress (Partial) Transcript Deadline March 23, 2025
Housing Application Deadline 50 USD Application Fee300 USD Initial Payment May 1, 2025
International Document Deadline May 2, 2025
Final Official Transcripts Due July 15, 2025
Postgraduate Fall application opens October 1 of each year
Spring application opens August 1 of each year
Summer application opens November 1 of each year

Also Read: Upcoming Intakes in USA


San Jose State University Admission Requirements

Check out the admission requirements of San Jose State University from the table below.

Parameters Undergraduate Postgraduate
Application Portal Online
Application Fee 70 USD
Academic Requirements Higher secondary or equivalent with a 3.0 GPA out of 4.0 (83-86%) Bachelor's degree with a 3.5 out of 4.0 (90%)
Standardized Test Scores ACT/ SAT (optional) GRE 305 or higher (if required)
English Language Proficiency Scores TOEFL: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 | PTE: 53 | DET: 120
Documents Admission interview (Specific courses) | Work experience (Specific courses) | Resume | Proof of availability of finances | Portfolio | Bank statement (at least 31.51 lakhs INR in account) | LOR |

San Jose State University Campus

Some of the key features of San Jose State University campus are given below:

  • Location: Centrally located in downtown San José, California, near Silicon Valley.
  • Modern Facilities: Advanced labs, the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Library, and the Hammer Theatre Center.
  • Housing: On-campus residential halls, apartments, and themed housing options.
  • Athletics: NCAA Division I facilities, including CEFCU Stadium and Spartan Recreation and Aquatic Center.
  • Sustainability: Solar panels, water conservation systems, and green initiatives.
  • Diversity: Multicultural student body with cultural events and organizations.
  • Safety: Dedicated campus police department for security.
  • Accessibility: ADA-compliant infrastructure for students with disabilities.
  • Art and Architecture: Historic buildings and notable public art installations.

san_jose_state_university_campus


San Jose State University Cost of Attendance

The total cost to attend San Jose State University ranges from 34,889 to 36,413 USD per year, depending on your chosen course and staying options. Here, we have added a detailed breakdown of the cost of living in USA at SJSU.

Expense Type Undergraduate/ Graduate
- With Parents Campus Housing Off-campus
Food And Housing 11,493 20,971 22,086
Transportation 1,791 1,233 1,962
Miscellaneous / Personal 4,059 3,213 4,968
Books & Supplies 1,062 1,062 1,062

san_jose_state_university_cost_of_living

Check Out: Student Accommodation in USA | Private Housing Vs Off-campus Housing in USA


San Jose State University Scholarships

San Jose State University offers several scholarships for international students, including the Louie Barozzi, Global Spartan, and Gil scholarships. These opportunities aim to support international students in their educational journey.

How to Apply?

  • Access the SJSU Spartan Scholarships platform.
  • Complete the "General Application" first.
  • Apply for the Global Spartan Scholarship.

Application Deadline: March 17, 2025 - April 29, 2025, 11:59 PM PST (Pacific Standard Time)

Award Value: Depends on individual eligibility

Requirements and Eligibility

To be eligible for the scholarship at SJSU, students must:

  • Be fully matriculated in F-1 status and maintain it.
  • Be enrolled full-time (12 units for undergraduates, 9 for graduates).
  • Have a minimum GPA of 3.3 (undergraduate) or 3.5 (graduate).
  • Have completed at least one semester at SJSU.
  • Plan to be an active student for the next academic year.
  • If spring is your final semester or you're enrolled elsewhere, at least 7 units are required.
Financial Guide for Indian Students to Study in USA
Scholarships for Indian Students in USA Fulbright Scholarships to Study in USA Scholarships for MS in USA
Education Loans in USA Fully Funded Scholarships for Indian Students in USA PhD Scholarships in USA

San Jose State University Job Outcomes

On average, San Jose State University graduates earn an annual salary of 95,000 USD. SJSU also provides invaluable career guidance and development for students. Students get to work as Engineers, Operations Managers, and HR Managers in companies like Cisco Systems, Lockheed Martin, and Intel among others. Some of the popular jobs in USA that SJSU students pursue are given below.

Job Role Average Annual Salary in USD
Software Engineer 122,903
Senior Software Engineer 151,267
Mechanical Engineer 96,755
Project Manager 90,633
Operations Manager 110,000
Human Resources (HR) Manager 90,000
Senior Marketing Manager 131,000

san_jose_state_university_job_outcomes

Note: Consider 1 USD= 86.57 INR as of January 21, 2025.

San Jose State University Notable Alumni

San Jose State University's Student Alumni Association, with 300,000 members, offers support to both new and graduating students. They help guide career decisions, build essential skills, and boost confidence to prepare students for their future careers.

Alumni Designation
Gordon Moore American Businessman, engineer and co-founder, and chairman of Intel Corporation
Dick Vermeil American football coach and has served as head coach in the National Football League for 15 seasons
Juli Inkster American professional golfer
Amy Tan American author is known for the novel The Joy Luck Club
Bill Walsh American professional and college football coach

SJSU hosts over 3,000 international students from 100+ countries, making it a top choice for global learners and the leading public university for international students among U.S. master-granting schools. Currently, SJSU has over 36,000 students, across its 9 interdisciplinary colleges. Among its student body, 27,700 students are undergraduates and 8,100 are graduate students.

FAQs

Ques: Is San Jose State University good?

Ans: Yes, SJSU is recognized as one of the top public universities, especially for its programs in engineering, business, and computer science. It's home to over 3,000 international students from 100+ countries, offering diverse opportunities and a strong alumni network.

Ques: What GPA is required for San Jose State?

Ans: For undergraduates, a minimum GPA of 2.5 is required, while graduate students typically need a GPA of 3.0 or higher to be competitive.

Ques: Is San Jose State University expensive?

Ans: SJSU’s tuition for out-of-state students is around $19,000 per year, which is relatively affordable compared to other U.S. institutions, but costs may increase with additional living expenses.

Courses & Fees

Compare courses in a cleaner, easier way

Explore tuition, duration, language, eligibility, and exam requirements without the clutter.

Courses

123

Fee from

₹13,82,821.47

Exams

TOEFL · IELTS

Showing 5 of 65 bachelors

Overview
Degree TypeBachelor
Duration4 years
Study ModeFull Time
LanguageEnglish
Fees
Tuition FeeINR 7.9 L/Yr
Native FeeUSD 8,410 /Yr
Estimated Total₹1279173
Fee trendTuition progression
Official Program Page
Admission Guide

Admission Process

San Jose State University (SJSU) offers lightly selective admissions for both domestic and international students, with 85% of applicants being accepted. The university provides over 130 undergraduate and graduate programs, including highly ranked courses in Engineering and Business. For graduate admissions, international students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5/4 (77-79%) and a TOEFL-IBT score of at least 80. The application fee is 70 USD (5,913 INR), and the undergraduate admissions for Fall 2025 are open until April 1, 2025. Applicants are required to submit supporting documents like LORs, personal statements, and portfolios.


San Jose State University Popular Programs

San Jose State University offers a wide array of programs that cater to the diverse interests of students. Its highly-ranked Engineering and Business courses make it a popular choice for international applicants seeking excellence in academics.


Admission Deadline for San Jose State University

San Jose State University offers only three intakes- Fall, Spring and Summer. International students mostly apply for Fall intake. The admission deadline for undergraduate courses for international students is April 1, 2025. The admission deadline for graduate courses for international students is as follows:

Programs Application Deadline
MS in Aerospace Engineering

Spring 2025: Closed
Summer 2025: Closed
Fall 2025: April 1, 2025

MS in Biotechnology

Spring 2025: Closed
Summer 2025: Closed
Fall 2025: April 1, 2025

MS in Computer Engineering

Spring 2025: Closed
Summer 2025: Closed
Fall 2025: April 1, 2025

MS in Accountancy

Spring 2025: Closed
Summer 2025: Closed
Fall 2025: April 1, 2025

MS in Finance

Spring 2025: Closed
Summer 2025: Closed
Fall 2025: April 1, 2025


San Jose State University Graduate Admissions

San Jose State University offers 120 graduate programs including master’s degrees, doctoral degrees, community impact programs, and interdisciplinary courses.

Application Portal: Online Application Portal
Application Fees: 70 USD (5,913 INR)
Graduate Admission Requirements:

  • 4-year bachelor’s degree from a recognised, accredited, and approved institution from a country outside of the U.S.
  • Official Transcripts
  • GPA or aggregate: GPA of 2.5/4 (75-76%)
  • Standardized Exam Scores
  • Essay/ Statement of Purpose
  • Work Experience
  • Resume
  • Letter of Recommendation(s)
  • Admission Interview (by invitation)
  • English proficiency test score
    • IELTS- 6.5
    • TOEFL iBT- 80
    • PTE- 53

Graduate Admission Requirements for Top Programs

The table provides program-specific admission requirements, including GPA, English Language Proficiency (ELP) scores, standardized test scores, and the required documents for application. Key highlights include:

Programs GPA Required ELP Scores Tests Score Documents Checklist
MS in Aerospace Engineering 3.0 GPA (85%) TOEFL-IBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 GRE Score of 312 with 3.5 or above in Analytical Writing Essay | CV/Resume | LOR
MS in Biotechnology 2.5 (75-76%) TOEFL-IBT: 80 | IELTS: 7.0 GRE writing score of 4.0 SOP | Resume | 2 LORs
MS in Computer Engineering 3.25 GPA (87%) or grade B+ TOEFL-IBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 The minimum GRE writing score is 3.0 Essay | CV/Resume | LOR
MS in Accountancy 3.0 GPA (85%) TOEFL-IBT: 90 | IELTS: 7.5 GMAT/GRE required if GPA below 3.0 Personal Statement | Resume | 2 LORs
MS in Finance 3.2 GPA (86%) TOEFL-IBT: 80 | IELTS: 6.5 Score on 50th percentile on either GMAT or GRE Personal Statement | Resume

San Jose State University MBA Admissions

San Jose State University offers an Early Career MBA program and MBA for professionals through Lucas Graduate School of Business. The Early Career MBA is designed for those with work experience below 5 years and has 3 tracks to choose from. On the other hand, the San Jose State MBA for professionals is a highly flexible course especially catered for professionals with 5 years of experience. The admission to MBA at San Jose State University is conducted once per year.

For the Fall 2025 MBA program at San Jose State University, the application deadline for international students is May 1st, 2025

Business Administration (Early Career MBA)

Semester Application Deadline Document Deadline
Spring 2025 Closed Closed
Summer 2025 Closed Closed
Fall 2025 May 1, 2025 May 20, 2025

Business Administration (MBA for Professionals)

Semester Application Deadline Document Deadline
Spring 2025 Closed Closed
Summer 2025 Closed Closed
Fall 2025 May 1, 2025 May 20, 2025

Application Portal: www2.calstate.edu/apply
Application Fee: 70 USD (6,022 INR)
Admission Requirements:

  • 4-year bachelor's degree
  • GPA or aggregate: 3.0 (85%)
  • Personal Statement
  • Resume
  • 5 years of work experience
  • English language proficiency:
    • TOEFL-IBT- 80
    • IELTS- 6.5

San Jose State University Undergraduate Admissions

With more than 88 academic programs, San Jose State University is the best place to do a course of your choice. Some of the popular undergraduate degrees at San Jose State University include Audiology (Doctorate of Audiology) Hospitality, Tourism, and Event Management, Bachelor of Science - Athletic Training, etc.

Application Portal: Online
Application Fee: 70 USD (5,913 INR)
Undergraduate Admission Requirements:

  • Official high school transcript (GPA of 2.5/4 (~75%)
  • ACT/SAT Scores
  • Letter of recommendation(s)
  • Personal statement
  • Documentation for financial support
  • Portfolio
  • Bank Statement (at least 31.51 lakhs in account)
  • English proficiency test score

After applying, the international students need to submit documents in the required format by using their San Jose State University Admissions Document Upload form. Submit documents only one time; there is no need to send duplicates as this will delay the processing time.

San Jose State University Admission Decisions

Students can check the status of their application by signing into https://one.sjsu.edu and searching for the MySJSU tile to access their MySJSU account. Upon scrolling down to the bottom of your MySJSU Student Center, students can check their admission status. If you are admitted to the university, then under your admission decision in MySJSU you will see this message: "No current to-do item information found”.


San Jose State University Admission Tips & Selection Criteria

The acceptance rate for San Jose State University is 85% due to the lightly selective admission policy. All candidates are evaluated based on the minimum requirements met and are ranked keeping in mind who achieved the highest. Each major and department follows specific selection criteria by considering various factors. Some courses may consider only GPAs and test scores while others may also look for additional documents, skills, work experience or extracurricular involvement. Though the majority of graduate courses require a minimum GPA of 2.5 (75-76%), international students are advised to have a GPA of 3.0 (85%) or above to receive equal consideration for admission.

In this video, SJSU students reveal how Indian students can save on tuition, secure internships in Silicon Valley, and navigate SJSU admissions. Here's how you can make the most of it:

  1. Save on Tuition with UPI Study Credits: Radhika, a Business Analytics student, transferred 12 UPI courses from India and graduated in 3 years, saving nearly ₹18 lakhs in tuition.
  2. Free Housing as a Resident Advisor (RA): Ankur, an Economics Junior, pays $0 for his private room and meals by becoming a Resident Advisor, offering leadership perks like priority registration.
  3. Land Internships Early: Hara, a Software Engineering grad, secured 3 internships by using LinkedIn and attending SJSU-exclusive tech talks with companies like Tesla and HP.

Watch the full video linked above to learn more about how to reduce your costs and accelerate your career in Silicon Valley.


San Jose State University: Students Profile and Diversity

Particulars Details
Total Enrollment 36,000+
Undergraduate Enrollment 27,700+
Undergraduate Enrollment 8,100+
International Students Enrollment 2,500+
Percentage of International Students 87%
Percentage of Asian Students 36.1%

The program has unique requirements and follows a separate application process. The students need to check the websites to review instructions on how to submit a department application. San Jose University admissions is a two-step process and official transcripts are needed by Graduate Admissions to be sent to the mentioned address. The department may also request transcripts to be sent directly to the department.

FAQs

Ques. Is San Jose State University private or public?

Ans. San Jose State University is a public university in Silicon Valley, California, established in 1857. It is the oldest public university on the West Coast of the US.

Ques. Does San Jose State University accept international students?

Ans. Yes, San Jose State University does accept international students. With an enrollment of over 2,500 international students, comprising 87% of the total student population, SJSU welcomes students from around the world.

Ques. Does San Jose State University accept ielts?

Ans. Yes, San Jose State University does accept IELTS scores. The accepted range for IELTS scores is typically between 6.0 to 6.5.

Ques. What is San Jose's acceptance rate?

Ans. The acceptance rate for San Jose State University is 85% due to the lightly selective admission policy.

Ques. What GPA do you need to get into San Jose State?

Ans. To apply for undergraduate and graduate admissions at San Jose State as an international student, a GPA of 2.5/4 (77-79%) is required.

Placements & Recruiters

San Jose State University Placement Details

San Jose State University in San Jose, California, United States placement details include salary insights, top recruiters, and hiring trends to help students understand career outcomes and campus opportunities.

Students usually compare highest package, average package, and recruiter profile before applying. This section gives a compact overview of career outcomes and placement visibility in San Jose, California, United States.

Recruiters
N/A
Salary Metrics
0/2
Placement Metric

Highest Package

N/A

Represents the top salary package reported in the available placement information.

Placement Metric

Average Package

N/A

Shows the typical package range students may expect based on the available average salary data.

Placement information is currently limited.

More salary or recruiter data may be updated later for this college.

Rankings over the years

Year-wise highlights from global and country rankings available for this university.

2021

Highlights
2021
  • Best overall country rank: #206
  • Education: #38 in country
  • Top source: ARWU
  • 2 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Education, Overall
  • 3 ranking records in 2021

2022

Highlights
2022
  • Best overall country rank: #62
  • Geography: #44 in country
  • Top source: THE
  • 21 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Medicine
  • 3 ranking records in 2022

2023

Highlights
2023
  • Best overall country rank: #191
  • Education: #51 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 2 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Education
  • 1 ranking record in 2023

2024

Highlights
2024
  • Best overall country rank: #101
  • Education: #39 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 3 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Overall, Nursing
  • 1 ranking record in 2024

2025

Highlights
2025
  • Best overall country rank: #243
  • Information Studies: #2 in country
  • Top source: US News
  • 5 ranked streams
  • Focus areas: Information Studies, Education
  • 2 ranking records in 2025

Contact Information

1 Washington Sq\, San Jose\, CA 95192

+1-408-924-1000

Student Reviews & Ratings

Overall sentiment and category-wise rating summary

Overall score

7.6/10
Top Rated

Based on 12 ratings

Rating Breakdown

Visual summary of rating distribution and categories

Live Summary
Academic
9.1/10
Faculty
8.8/10
Infrastructure
8.8/10
Accommodation
8.5/10
Placement
7.6/10
Extracurricular
9.5/10