SDSU Housing Costs

$3,244 Other Living Expenses Typical Cost

What is the Cost of Living at SDSU?

Make the best college choice by understanding the true cost of college. Start by understanding the yearly costs at San Diego State University.

On this page you will find:

Outline of Housing Costs
Room & Board Trends and Total Expenses
Meal Plans and Housing Requirements
References

Housing and Meal Plan Costs at SDSU

Housing and meal plans are priced out separately here. The standard student paid $15,280 in 2026, and a standard meal plan cost $7,544. All in all, the average on-campus student at San Diego State University can expect to spend about $30,606 in 2026 in total yearly living costs beyond tuition.

Discover housing costs for both on-campus and off-campus, as well as meals and other expenses at San Diego State University.

Expense	On Campus	Off Campus
Room and Board	$26,416	$23,048
— Housing	$15,280
— Meals	$7,544
Other Living Expenses	$3,244	$5,140
Books and Supplies	$946	$946
Total	$30,606	$29,134

Room & Board Over Four Years? Projected Four-Year Total: $139,934

Tuition is not the only college cost that climbs each year — room and board does too. Estimating the trend now makes for a more accurate four-year budget.

Over the course of obtaining your degree, expect on-campus living costs near $139,934 for living costs.

Below is how room and board has changed across recent reported years — and where current trends point — at San Diego State University.

Year	Room & Board
Three Years Ago	$22,257
Two Years Ago	$22,790
One Year Ago	$24,874
Most Recent Year (2026)	$26,416
One Year From Now *	$28,061
Two Years From Now *	$29,809
Three Years From Now *	$31,666
Four Years From Now *	$33,638

* estimated

Most recently, on-campus costs increased an average of 6.2% per year. If current trends continue, incoming first-year students would pay about $32,251 in their first year.

By their final year, a student might pay about $37,828 for a bachelor’s degree, while a two-year (associate) student would pay around $33,999 by the end of a two-year program.

Over the entire degree (assuming you graduate on time), the total comes to about $139,934 over four years — compared with roughly $66,250 for two years on campus.