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San Diego State University Ranking Badges

SDSU earned 242 ranking badges in the 2027 College Factual rankings: 19 in the top 1%, 127 in the top 5%, 63 in the top 10% and 33 in the top 15% of the schools in each ranking. Its highest placement is #1 of 38 in Top Ranked Veterans for Urban Studies, a top 1% award.

Key facts

• Badges earned: 242 (2027 edition)
• In the top 1% / top 5%: 19 / 127
• Highest placement: #1 of 38, a top 1% award
• Fields of study with a badge: 24
• Placements this edition: 500
• Badge cutoff: a top 15% placement in a ranking

Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.

How Many Ranking Badges Has San Diego State University Earned?

San Diego State University holds 242 ranking badges across 24 fields of study, 146 of them in the top 5% or better; each badge is an award for placing in the top 15% of a ranking. Our rankings are refreshed through the year as new data arrives. This page reflects the 2027 edition. A check mark sits in the highest award tier the school reached. Learn more about our data sources and methodologies. Administrators interested in displaying College Factual badges can contact us.

Count by Award Level

Award Level	Badges
Top 1%	19
Top 5%	127
Top 10%	63
Top 15%	33
Total	242

What Is San Diego State University Known For?

San Diego State University is best known for Business, Management & Marketing: 14 of its 132 traditional-student awards are in that field. Its top-ranked majors include Nursing, Business Administration & Management and General Psychology. Its highest traditional-student placement is #1 of 2,032 in Top Ranked for Nursing.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Overall Best			✓
Overall Best (Far Western)			✓
Overall Best (California)			✓
Overall Diversity	✓
Overall Diversity (California)	✓
Location Diversity (Far Western)	✓
Location Diversity (California)	✓
Ethnic Diversity	✓
Most Popular			✓
Most Popular (Far Western)				✓
Most Popular (California)			✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
General Biology
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Accounting
Top Ranked			✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular				✓
Construction Management
Top Ranked			✓
Hospitality Management
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular		✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓
International Business
Most Popular			✓
Management Sciences & Methods
Top Ranked	✓
Other Business & Marketing
Top Ranked			✓
Highest Paid Graduates	✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular				✓
Journalism
Most Popular			✓
Public Relations & Advertising
Top Ranked	✓
Best Value	✓
Radio, TV & Digital Communication
Most Popular		✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Computer Science
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Educational Administration
Top Ranked			✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
General Education
Most Popular			✓
Multilingual Education
Top Ranked			✓
Teacher Education Grade Specific
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular			✓
Teaching English or French
Top Ranked			✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular		✓
Civil Engineering
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular		✓
Computer Engineering
Top Ranked	✓
Environmental Engineering
Most Popular	✓
Mechanical Engineering
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular	✓

Engineering Technologies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Construction Engineering
Top Ranked		✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
General English Literature
Most Popular			✓

Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular		✓
Ethnic Studies
Most Popular			✓

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular		✓
Romance Languages
Most Popular			✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked				✓
Allied Health Professions
Top Ranked			✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Mental & Social Health Services
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Nursing
Top Ranked				✓
Highest Paid Graduates		✓
Public Health
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
History
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓

Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Criminal Justice & Corrections
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular				✓

Liberal Arts & Humanities

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Liberal Arts General Studies
Top Ranked			✓

Mathematics & Statistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular			✓
Statistics
Most Popular	✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Nutrition Science
Most Popular	✓
Other Interdisciplinary Studies
Most Popular		✓

Natural Resources & Conservation

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular		✓
Natural Resources Conservation
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular				✓
Health & Physical Education
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies
Top Ranked		✓

Philosophy & Religious Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular		✓
Philosophy
Most Popular		✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Child Development & Psychology
Top Ranked		✓
Best Value	✓
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Top Ranked			✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular				✓

Public & Social Service

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular			✓
Public Administration
Most Popular	✓
Social Work
Top Ranked			✓
Most Popular		✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Anthropology
Most Popular		✓
Criminology
Top Ranked	✓
Economics
Most Popular		✓
Geography & Cartography
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓
International Relations & Security
Most Popular	✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Sociology
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular			✓
Dance
Most Popular	✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked		✓
Most Popular		✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular				✓
Music
Top Ranked	✓
Most Popular		✓

How Does San Diego State University Rank in Athletics?

In College Factual’s 2027 athletics rankings, San Diego State University earned 9 badges across 8 sports, 2 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #23 of 930 in Basketball.

Men’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Basketball			✓
Basketball (D1)			✓
Football	✓
Tennis	✓
Tennis (D1)	✓

Women’s Sports

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Basketball	✓
Golf	✓
Golf (D1)		✓
Softball	✓

How Does San Diego State University Rank for Online Students?

In College Factual’s 2027 online-program rankings, San Diego State University earned 10 badges across 9 online programs, 8 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #9 of 897 in Most Popular Online for Business Administration & Management.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Most Popular Online			✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Business Administration & Management
Most Popular Online				✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Communication & Media Studies
Most Popular Online			✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
General Education
Most Popular Online			✓
Teacher Education Grade Specific
Most Popular Online			✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Mental & Social Health Services
Most Popular Online	✓
Public Health
Most Popular Online			✓

Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Criminal Justice & Corrections
Most Popular Online			✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Economics
Most Popular Online		✓
Sociology
Most Popular Online			✓

How Does San Diego State University Rank for Veterans?

In College Factual’s 2027 veterans rankings, San Diego State University earned 91 badges, 70 of them in the top 5% or better; its highest placement is #1 of 38 in Top Ranked Veterans for Urban Studies.

College Overall

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Best for Veterans				✓

Biological & Biomedical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General Biology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Microbiology Science & Immunology
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Business, Management & Marketing

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Accounting
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Business Administration & Management
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Hospitality Management
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
International Business
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Management Sciences & Methods
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Other Business & Marketing
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Communication & Journalism

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Communication & Media Studies
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Journalism
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Public Relations & Advertising
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Radio, TV & Digital Communication
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Computer & Information Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Computer Science
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Education

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Educational Administration
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General Education
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Instructional Media Design
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Student Counseling
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Teacher Education Grade Specific
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Engineering

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Aeronautical Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Civil Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Computer Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Electrical Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Environmental Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Mechanical Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Engineering Technologies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Construction Engineering
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

English Language & Literature

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General English Literature
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Writing Studies
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Ethnic, Culture & Gender Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Ethnic Studies
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Foreign Languages & Linguistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Linguistics & Literature
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Romance Languages
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Health Professions

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Communication Sciences
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Nursing
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Public Health
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Rehabilitation Professions
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

History

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
History
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Law Enforcement & Firefighting

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Criminal Justice & Corrections
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Liberal Arts & Humanities

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
Liberal Arts General Studies
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Mathematics & Statistics

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Applied Mathematics
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Mathematics
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Statistics
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Multi / Interdisciplinary Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Gerontology
Top Ranked Veterans				✓
International Studies
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Nutrition Science
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Other Interdisciplinary Studies
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Natural Resources & Conservation

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Natural Resources Conservation
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Parks, Recreation, Leisure & Fitness

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Health & Physical Education
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Parks, Recreation & Leisure Studies
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Philosophy & Religious Studies

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Philosophy
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Physical Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Chemistry
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
Physics
Top Ranked Veterans		✓

Psychology

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Clinical & Counseling Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General Psychology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Public & Social Service

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Public Administration
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Social Work
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Social Sciences

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Anthropology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Criminology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Economics
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
General Social Sciences
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Geography & Cartography
Top Ranked Veterans		✓
International Relations & Security
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Political Science & Government
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Sociology
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Urban Studies
Top Ranked Veterans				✓

Visual & Performing Arts

Ranking	Top 15%	Top 10%	Top 5%	Top 1%
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Drama & Theater Arts
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Fine & Studio Arts
Top Ranked Veterans			✓
Music
Top Ranked Veterans			✓

Continue Your Research on SDSU

• All rankings for SDSU
• SDSU overview
• Best Colleges ranking
• SDSU official website
• SDSU on Wikipedia
• SDSU on Twitter
• SDSU on Facebook

Notes and References

These rankings are built on federal education data, 2027 edition. San Diego State University appears in 500 of the College Factual rankings covered on this page.

• The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
• Some other college data, including much of the earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).

More about our data sources and methodologies.