Look beyond the university name
San José State University is a public research university in San Jose, California, United States. Established in 1857 as the state's first normal school, it is the oldest public university in the western United States and is the founding campus of the California State University system.
| Location | San Jose, United States |
| Founded | 1857 |
| Institution type | University |
| Total students | 36,208 |
| Faculty & staff | 3,586 |
| Research works (OpenAlex) | 35,333 |
| Total citations | 795,977 |
| President | Cynthia Teniente-Matson |
Source: Wikipedia ↗ (reviewed 07 October 2026)
What can you study at San Jose State University?
As of spring 2023, San José State University offered 150 bachelor's degree programs, 95 master's degree programs, five doctoral degree programs, 11 credential programs, and 42 certificate programs. SJSU is accredited by the WASC Senior College and University Commission . SJSU's doctoral degree offerings include a Ph.D. program in library and information science offered jointly through Manchester Metropolitan University in Manchester , England , a doctor of audiology (Au.D.), an Ed.D. program in educational leadership, a doctor of nursing practice (DNP), and an occupational therapy doctorate (OTD). As of the fall of 2024, the university's Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering, with 7,133 undergraduate and graduate students, was the largest college on campus. SJSU's Lucas College and Graduate School of Business was the second largest college on campus with a total enrollment of 6,745 undergraduate and graduate students.
Research strengths (by indexed output): Human-Automation Interaction and Safety, Air Traffic Management and Optimization, Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations, Library Science and Information, Stellar, planetary, and galactic studies.
For the complete programme catalogue with entry requirements per degree, check the official website.
Official source: Official website ↗
Source: Wikipedia ↗ (reviewed 07 October 2026)
Know your admission route
Undergraduate admissions Undergraduate admission statistics Fall 2025 Fall 2024 Fall 2023 Fall 2022 Fall 2021 First-time freshmen Applicants 37,968 37,813 36,536 34,783 30,441 Admits 29,845 31,419 28,708 26,083 25,682 Admit rate 79% 83% 79% 75% 84% Enrolled 4,943 4,604 4,520 4,037 4,222 Yield rate 17% 15% 16% 15% 16% Transfers Applicants 11,733 11,504 10,880 12,458 14,337 Admits 7,662 8,036 7,806 8,720 10,120 Admit rate 65% 70% 72% 70% 71% Enrolled 3,742 3,352 3,081 3,286 3,782 Yield rate 49% 42% 39% 38% 37% Admission to SJSU is based on a combination of the applicant's high school cumulative grade point average (GPA) and standardized test scores. These factors are used to determine the applicant's California State University (CSU) eligibility index. More specifically, the eligibility index is a weighted combination of the applicant's high school grade point average during the final three years of high school and either the SAT or ACT score. The CSU eligibility index is calculated by using either the SAT or ACT as follows: (Sum of SAT scores in mathematics and critical reading) + (800 x high school GPA) or (10 x ACT composite score without the writing score) + (200 x high school GPA). In fall 2022, a total of 34,783 first-time, first-year (freshmen) applications were submitted, with 26,083 applicants accepted (75.0%) and 4,036 enrolling (15.5% of those accepted). Among first-time, first-year (freshmen) students who enrolled in fall 2021, SAT scores for the middle 50.0% ranged from 1030 to 1310.
Always verify current deadlines on the official website — third-party sites may carry outdated dates.
Official source: Official website ↗
Source: Wikipedia ↗ (reviewed 07 October 2026)
Tuition & costs
Tuition fees change each academic year and differ by programme, study level (undergraduate/graduate) and residency status. JournalsWorld does not publish estimated figures that may be outdated.
Check the university's official tuition & fees page for the current schedule applicable to your intake.
Official source: Official website ↗
Research at San Jose State University
According to OpenAlex, San Jose State University has 35,333 indexed research works with 795,977 total citations.
Rankings Academic rankings Master's Washington Monthly 23 National Forbes 87 U.S. News & World Report 137 WSJ /College Pulse 17 Global THE 1001–1200 U.S. News & World Report 1636 2026–2027 USNWR National Undergraduate rankings Top Public Schools 137 Best Colleges for Veterans 96 Top Performers on Social Mobility 37 Best Value Schools 127 Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs 15 (At schools where doctorate not offered) Computer Engineering 4 Electrical Engineering / Electronic / Communications 12 Mechanical Engineering 12 Computer Science 110 Nursing 115 Business 115 Economics 201 2026–2027 USNWR Best Graduate School rankings Library and Information Studies 19 Occupational Therapy 37 Speech-Language Pathology 67 Audiology 68 Social Work 77 Fine Arts 92 Public Affairs 120 Education 133 Statistics 133 Public Health 136 Part-time MBA 174 Top 10 foreign countries in headcount (Fall 2025) Country Headcount India 1,160 Vietnam 213 China 144 Taiwan 114 Myanmar 104 Mexico 69 South Korea 59 Japan 45 Canada 42 Nepal 34 According to the 2027 U.S. News & World Report college rankings, San Jose State was ranked No.
Most-cited affiliated researchers
- Amy Shuen — 33,039 citations
- Lowell E. Staveland — 14,944 citations
- Natalie M. Batalha — 8,503 citations
- P. T. Beyersdorf — 4,693 citations
- S. D. Noam Cook — 2,909 citations
Source: OpenAlex (most-cited affiliated authors)
Official source: Official website ↗
Who leads San Jose State University?
The current President is Cynthia Teniente-Matson.
Cynthia Teniente-Matson is the 32nd and current president of San Jose State University and the former president of Texas A&M University–San Antonio. Born in San Antonio, Teniente-Matson spent her adolescence in California, studied at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, and studied and worked at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
Official source: Official website ↗
Campus & student life
Student life Undergraduate demographics as of fall 2024 Race and ethnicity Total Asian 35.9% Hispanic/Latino 29.6% White 13.6% Other 9.4% Foreign national 7.9% Black or African American 3.3% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander .4% American Indian or Alaskan Native .1% Economic diversity Low-income 40% Affluent 60% Student body origin (returning students) Fall 2024 California: Santa Clara County 44.6% California: Bay Area (outside Santa Clara County) 35.0% California: Non-local 12.6% International 6.8% Other U.S. 0.9% As the oldest and one of the largest universities in the CSU system, SJSU attracts students from California, the United States, and 100 countries around the world. As of the fall of 2022, 35,751 students were enrolled at SJSU including 26,863 undergraduate students and 8,888 graduate and credential students. Approximately 51% of students were male and 49% were female. Graduate student enrollment at SJSU was the highest of any campus in the CSU system. As of the fall of 2022, the average age of undergraduate students at SJSU was 22.2.
For housing options, campus facilities and student services, see the official website.
Official source: Official website ↗
Source: Wikipedia ↗ (reviewed 07 October 2026)
Contact San Jose State University
Official website: https://sjsu.edu ↗
For admissions enquiries, department contacts and phone numbers, use the official contact page.
Official source: Official website ↗
Frequently asked questions
When was San Jose State University founded?
San Jose State University was founded in 1857.
How many students attend?
Approximately 36,208 students.
What are the admission requirements?
Requirements vary by programme. Check the admission section above and verify on the official website.
How much is tuition?
Tuition changes yearly. See the official tuition page for current figures.
Who is the president?
Cynthia Teniente-Matson.