In the news
· Announced
Cal State Apply opens two months early for fall 2027; submissions still start October 1The CSU application opened in August this year instead of October. What you can do now, what waits until October 1, and the fee waiver.
For the class of 2027.
Getting in
For Fall 2025, 37,124 first-year students applied to San Jose State, 29,845 were admitted: an acceptance rate of 80.4%.
Source: SJSU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By residency, first-year applicants, Fall 2025
| Applicants | Applied | Admitted | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| California residents | 34,882 | 28,137 | 80.7% |
| Out-of-state | 1,432 | 1,070 | 74.7% |
| International | 810 | 638 | 78.8% |
Source: SJSU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C1, residency table. Read Oct 1, 2026.
By school or major. SJSU publishes no acceptance rate by major. Its Fall 2025 impaction results list instead the lowest impaction score each major admitted. Many majors had room for every CSU-eligible applicant; others took higher scores, such as Computer Engineering (4,920), Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (4,800 each), Aerospace Engineering (4,320) and Computer Science (3,440).
Source: SJSU Admissions, Fall 2025 Freshman Impaction Results by Major (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Early decision and early action. SJSU has no early decision or early action plan; the Common Data Set answers no to both. There is one Cal State Apply filing period.
Source: SJSU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), sections C21 and C22. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Programs with extra requirements
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
Every SJSU major is impacted: meeting the CSU minimum does not guarantee admission. You apply to a major, and some majors ask for more:
- All majors. CSU-eligible applicants are ranked in their major by a-g GPA, with points added for graduating from a Santa Clara County high school, qualifying for the Cal State Apply fee waiver, being first generation, or military status. You must also name an alternate major.
Source: SJSU Admissions, Impaction (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- College of Engineering. Applicants are ranked with a modified index that adds math GPA.
Source: SJSU Admissions, Impaction (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Animation & Illustration. Three short supplemental drawing exercises, due one week after the Cal State Apply deadline. Without them, you are considered for your alternate major only.
Source: SJSU Admissions, First-Time, First-Year Steps to Admission (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
You cannot change your major during the application and admission process, and a change after admission is by petition only.
Source: SJSU Admissions, Impaction (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Majors
141 majors across 9 schools. Every undergraduate major in SJSU's official 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, grouped by the college that offers it, with the degree it leads to. Concentrations are listed as the catalog lists them; online degree-completion programs, programs not accepting students, minors and graduate programs are left out.
Lucas College and Graduate School of Business14
- Business Administration, Accounting Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Accounting Information Systems Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Business Analytics Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Corporate Accounting and Finance Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Entrepreneurship Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Finance Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, General Business Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Hospitality, Tourism and Event Management Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Human Resource Management Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, International Business Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Management Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Management Information Systems Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Marketing Concentration (BS)
- Business Administration, Operations and Supply Chain Management Concentration (BS)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Connie L. Lurie College of Education6
- Child and Adolescent Development (BA)
- Child and Adolescent Development, PK-3 Integrated Teacher Education Program Spanish Bilingual (BA)
- Child and Adolescent Development, PK-3 Integrated Teacher Education Program (BA)
- Child and Adolescent Development, Preparation for Teaching W/CSET Waiver (BA)
- Child and Adolescent Development, Preparation for Teaching (BA)
- Communicative Disorders and Sciences (BS)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Charles W. Davidson College of Engineering14
Applicants are ranked with a modified impaction index that adds math GPA.
Source: SJSU Admissions, Impaction (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Aerospace Engineering (BS)
- Aviation (BS)
- Biomedical Engineering (BS)
- Chemical Engineering (BS)
- Civil Engineering (BS)
- Computer Engineering (BS)
- Electrical Engineering (BS)
- Engineering Technology, Computer Network System Management (CNSM) Concentration (BS)
- Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Systems Concentration (BS)
- Industrial and Systems Engineering (BS)
- Interdisciplinary Engineering (BS)
- Materials Engineering (BS)
- Mechanical Engineering (BS)
- Software Engineering (BS)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Health and Human Sciences10
- Kinesiology (BS)
- Kinesiology, Preparation for Teaching (BS)
- Nursing (BS)
- Nutritional Science, Applied Nutrition and Food Sciences Concentration (BS)
- Nutritional Science, Dietetics Concentration (BS)
- Packaging (BS)
- Public Health (BS)
- Public Health, Concentration in Community Health Education (BS)
- Public Health, Concentration in Population Data Science (BS)
- Social Work (BA)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Humanities and the Arts43
- Advertising (BS)
- Animation & Illustration (BFA)Extra requirement: Three short supplemental drawing exercises are a required part of the application for this major, due one week after the Cal State Apply deadline.
- Art History and Visual Culture (BA)
- Art, Digital Media Art Concentration (BFA)
- Art, Photography Concentration (BFA)
- Art, Pictorial Art Concentration (BFA)
- Art, Spatial Art Concentration (BFA)
- Art, Studio Practice Concentration (Preparation for Teaching) (BA)
- Art, Studio Practice Concentration (BA)
- Chinese (BA)
- Creative Arts (BA)
- Creative Arts, Creative Arts Therapy Studies Concentration (BA)
- Dance (BA)
- Dance (BFA)
- Design Studies (BA)
- English (BA)
- English, Creative Writing Concentration (BA)
- English, Preparation for Teaching (Single Subject) (BA)
- English, Professional and Technical Writing Concentration (BA)
- French (BA)
- Graphic Design (BFA)
- Humanities, American Studies Concentration (BA)
- Humanities, Liberal Arts Concentration (BA)
- Humanities, Religious Studies Concentration (BA)
- Industrial Design (BS)
- Interior Design (BFA)
- Japanese (BA)
- Journalism (BS)
- Liberal Studies, Integrated Teacher Education Program Spanish Bilingual (BA)
- Liberal Studies, Integrated Teacher Education Program (BA)
- Liberal Studies, Preparation for Teaching (BA)
- Linguistics (BA)
- Music Technology (BA)
- Music (BA)
- Music, Composition Concentration (BM)
- Music, Jazz Studies Concentration (BM)
- Music, Music Teacher Preparation Concentration (BM)
- Music, Performance Concentration (BM)
- Philosophy (BA)
- Public Relations (BS)
- Radio-Television-Film (BA)
- Spanish (BA)
- Theatre Arts (BA)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Information, Data and Society1
- Information Science and Data Analytics (BS)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Science26
- Applied Mathematics, Computational Science Concentration (BS)
- Applied Mathematics, Discrete Mathematics Concentration (BS)
- Biological Sciences - Ecology and Evolution (BS)
- Biological Sciences - Marine Biology (BS)
- Biological Sciences (BA)
- Biological Sciences, Microbiology Concentration (BS)
- Biological Sciences, Molecular Biology Concentration (BS)
- Biological Sciences, Systems Physiology Concentration (BS)
- Chemistry (BA)
- Chemistry, Biochemistry Concentration (BS)
- Chemistry (BS)
- Climate Science (BS)
- Computational Biology (BS)
- Computer Science and Geology (BS)
- Computer Science and Linguistics (BS)
- Computer Science (BS)
- Data Science (BS)
- Earth System Science (BS)
- Geology (BS)
- Mathematics (BA)
- Mathematics, Integrated Teacher Education Program (BA)
- Meteorology (BS)
- Physics (BA)
- Physics (BS)
- Physics, Preparation for Teaching (BA)
- Statistics (BS)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Social Sciences25
- African American Studies (BA)
- Anthropology (BA)
- Asian American Studies (BA)
- Behavioral Science (BA)
- Chicana and Chicano Studies (BA)
- Communication Studies (BA)
- Economics (BA)
- Economics (BS)
- Environmental Studies (BA)
- Environmental Studies (BS)
- Environmental Studies, Preparation for Teaching (BA)
- Forensic Science, Biology Concentration (BS)
- Forensic Science, Chemistry Concentration (BS)
- Forensic Science, Crime Scene Investigation Concentration (BS)
- Forensic Science, Digital Evidence Concentration (BS)
- Geography (BA)
- Global Studies (BA)
- History (BA)
- Justice Studies (BS)
- Justice Studies, Criminology Concentration (BS)
- Political Science (BA)
- Psychology (BA)
- Social Science, Preparation for Teaching (Single Subject) (BA)
- Sociology (BA)
- Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies (BA)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
College of Graduate Studies2
- Interdisciplinary Studies (BA)
- Interdisciplinary Studies (BS)
Source: SJSU 2026-2027 Academic Catalog, Academic Programs by College (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Source: SJSU Admissions, First-Time, First-Year Steps to Admission (opens in a new tab), for the extra requirements. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Deadlines for Fall 2027
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
| Plan | Apply by | Decision | Binding |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cal State Apply | November 30 | not published | No |
You apply through Cal State Apply. You can start the application on August 1, 2026; submission opens October 1, 2026, and the deadline is November 30, 2026. If admitted, the intent to enroll deadline is May 1, 2027.
Source: SJSU Admissions, Admission Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Testing
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
SAT and ACT scores are not used in SJSU admission decisions, even if you send them. If you are offered admission, you may send official scores, which are used for course placement.
Source: SJSU Admissions, CSU Eligibility Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
The Common Data Set agrees: it answers no to using SAT or ACT scores and marks them not considered for admission, even if submitted, for fall 2027 applicants.
Source: SJSU Common Data Set 2025-2026 (opens in a new tab), section C8A. Read Oct 1, 2026.
Changes already in effect
For students applying in fall 2026, entering fall 2027
- Language. The CSU language requirement now means two years, or through the second level, of the same language, or two one-year first-level courses. You may not mix semesters of different languages or use partial units to meet it.
Source: SJSU Admissions, CSU Eligibility Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
- Arts. The CSU arts requirement is now one year-long course or two semester courses in dance, music, theater, visual arts or interdisciplinary arts, both semesters finished before you graduate from high school.
Source: SJSU Admissions, CSU Eligibility Requirements (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Applying next year?
For students applying in fall 2027, entering fall 2028
Not announced yet. When we checked San Jose State's admission pages on October 1, 2026, we found no announced changes for fall 2028 entry. The deadlines and rules above are for fall 2027 entry.
Source: SJSU Admissions, Admission Deadlines (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Cost, and what families paid after aid
The published cost of a year at San Jose State, 2026-2027:
| Item | In-state | Out-of-state |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | $9,553 | $9,553 |
| Nonresident tuition ($471 a unit, 24 units) | $0 | $11,304 |
| Institutional related activities fee | $245 | $245 |
| Housing (campus housing) | $15,543 | $15,543 |
| Food | $7,369 | $7,369 |
| Books and supplies | $1,004 | $1,004 |
| Transportation | $1,121 | $1,121 |
| Miscellaneous and personal | $2,900 | $2,900 |
| Total | $37,735 | $49,039 |
Campus housing. Nonresidents pay $471 a unit on top of tuition; the figure shown is 12 units each semester, the load SJSU's own admission steps use.
Source: SJSU Financial Aid and Scholarship Office, Cost of Attendance (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Average net price per year, by family income, 2023-24:
| Family income | Paid after grants |
|---|---|
| $0 to $30,000 | $9,730 |
| $30,001 to $48,000 | $10,114 |
| $48,001 to $75,000 | $12,099 |
| $75,001 to $110,000 | $15,102 |
| Over $110,000 | $22,862 |
| All incomes | $13,760 |
What first-year, full-time in-state students who received federal aid paid after grants and scholarships, by family income, in 2023-24, the latest year the Department of Education publishes. Your own price comes from SJSU's aid offer.
Source: College Scorecard, U.S. Department of Education (opens in a new tab). Read Oct 1, 2026.
Similar schools
Chosen for how close each is to San Jose State University on acceptance rate, public or private, location and majors offered.
University of California, RiversideRiverside, CA · Public86.1% admitted$14,304 average net price
Oregon State UniversityCorvallis, OR · Public78.9% admitted$19,604 average net price
California State University, FullertonFullerton, CA · Public88.1% admitted$6,555 average net price
California State Polytechnic University, PomonaPomona, CA · Public74% admitted$11,531 average net price
University of California, Santa CruzSanta Cruz, CA · Public72.7% admitted$17,890 average net price
Admitted: each school's latest first-year acceptance rate, so the year can differ from school to school; each school's page names its year and source. Average net price: what federal aid recipients paid per year after grants, 2023-24, and the in-state figure for a public university.