Everything you need to know about transferring to San Diego State University - from requirements and deadlines to competitive majors and insider strategies.
35%
Transfer Accept Rate
3.2
Median Admit GPA
90%+
From CA Community Colleges
Oct 1 – Dec 15
Application Deadline
At a Glance
Location
San Diego, California
Semester System
Fall & Spring
Minimum Units
60 semester units
Junior-level standing required
Minimum GPA
2.0 (CA residents)
Competitive admits average 2.8–3.5
What You Need
SDSU evaluates transfer applicants holistically. Here's what you need to be competitive.
SDSU transfer eligibility requirements:
Major-specific preparation significantly impacts admission:
CSU applications use Cal State Apply (separate from UC application):
Associate Degrees for Transfer (ADT) give you a significant edge:
Know the Landscape
Acceptance rates vary by major. Understanding the competitive landscape is key to a smart application strategy.
Fowler College of Business
One of the most competitive transfer majors at SDSU. Strong quantitative prep needed.
Low
Accept Rate
3.3+
Competitive GPA
College of Engineering
Highly competitive engineering program. Strong math and CS prerequisites.
Low
Accept Rate
3.2+
Competitive GPA
College of Health & Human Services
Extremely competitive. Separate application and prerequisites required.
Very Low
Accept Rate
3.5+
Competitive GPA
College of Professional Studies
Signature SDSU program. High demand among transfers.
Moderate
Accept Rate
3.0+
Competitive GPA
College of Sciences
Popular pre-health pathway. Strong science GPA needed.
Moderate
Accept Rate
2.8+
Competitive GPA
College of Arts & Letters
High demand but more accessible than STEM programs.
Moderate
Accept Rate
2.8+
Competitive GPA
Key Dates
Missing a deadline can cost you an entire year. Here are the dates that matter.
October 1
Begin submitting your CSU application for the following fall term.
December 15
Submit your completed application by this date. Some programs close earlier.
February–March
Impacted programs may request additional documents or supplemental applications.
March–May
SDSU releases transfer decisions on a rolling basis through spring.
Pacific + SDSU
Our team provides expert guidance tailored specifically to San Diego State University transfer admissions.
SDSU is one of the most impacted CSUs. We help you understand which majors are realistic and how to position yourself competitively.
We help you complete your Associate Degree for Transfer efficiently to gain priority admission consideration.
Detailed course planning using ASSIST.org to ensure all prerequisites and GE requirements are met.
Strategic guidance on choosing between impacted and less-impacted majors to maximize acceptance odds.
Complete review of your Cal State Apply application before submission.
Building a balanced list of CSU targets to ensure you have strong options.