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Colleges / San Jose State University

San Jose State University

San Jose, CA 4-Year Public
Acceptance Rate84%
Acceptance Rate84%

SJSU Tuition Information

In 2022, tuition for full-time students at San Jose State University was $5,742 a year for in-state students and $15,246 a year for out-of-state students.

On average, colleges raise tuition about 3% each year.

Remember, the total cost of tuition isn't the final cost for attending college. Many students find the actual cost of college is way less than the sticker price after grants, scholarships, and tuition discounts are awarded. Additionally, student loans can make theactual cost of attending college more manageable until after graduation.

International students can expect to pay 15,246 per year for tuition at San Jose State University.

Does San Jose State University Offer In-State and Out-of-State Tuition?

San Jose State University is a public, state institution, which means it offers a reduced tuition rate of $5,742 for in-state students who attend full-time. For students who are not considered California-residents, out-of-state tuition is $15,246 a year.

Public colleges and universities receive funding from the state government. Public, state schools can offer lower tuition for students who meet the requirements for in-state residency.

Choosing a college where you qualify for in-state tuition can cut the cost of college tuition. Don't forget to check your state's eligibility criteria for in-state tuition. Every state has its own rules about what makes someone eligible for in-state tuition. The most common requirement is that students must have lived in the state for a full year before starting school. There may be additional requirements too, depending on the state you and your parents currently live in.

Explore other California colleges

Do International Students Pay More to Go to San Jose State University?

SJSU has the same tuition for international students as for those from out of state.

International students at San Jose State University can expect to pay around $15,246 per year, before any scholarships or financial aid.

International students usually do not qualify for for federal financial aid, but may be eligible for private or school-specific aid and scholarships.


San Jose State University Housing Expenses, Fees, and More


Tuition is not the only cost of attending college; there are other costs associated with college, like room and board, facility fees, and books and supplies. Let's take a look at what impacts these costs, and what to expect at SJSU.

Room and Board Costs at SJSU

Room and board at SJSU is $12,641 a year. This covers the cost of living in dorms or other on-campus housing, and a dining plan that allows you to eat in the SJSU's on-campus cafeterias and dining halls. Students who do not live on-campus but still want to use the dining facilities can opt-in for a meal plan. The cost of a mean plan, or board-only, is $8,767.

Board costs may vary depending on how many meals are included in the plan you choose.

Cost of Books at SJSU

First-year students are sometimes surprised by how much books and supplies cost–and not in a good way. The real cost of books and supplies depends on the courses you take and what kinds of books and materials they require. To save money, many students choose to use books from the library or buy books from students who have already taken the course.

Yearly Fees

Most schools also have fees to offsets cost associated with maintaining facilties, like the computer labs and libraries, athletic facilities, and more.

There may be optional fees associated with participating in certain activities, like Greek Life, or playing on an intramural sports team. Most colleges offer ways for students with financial need to get help covering these costs.

Transportation costs

The cost of getting around in college can really vary. Will you take a subway, car or an airplane to get to school? Will you need to pay to park on-campus? Is the campus walkable? Do you own a car, or will you need to use busses, subways, or other modes of transportation? All of these factors can drastically impact your estimated cost of transportation. Keeping in mind, first-year students are allowed to park a car on campus.

The location of a college or university can also have a big effect on transportation costs. Small, rural schools may be easier to get around, but the cost of getting to campus may be higher. On the flip side, transportation in an urban area may be costly, but there may be more trains, busses and low-cost flight options to actually get to school. San Jose State Universityis located in a urban setting in California, not far from San Jose.

Other Costs

When estimating your budget for college, don’t forget to consider personal expenses, like going out to eat or see shows, furnishing your living space, and things like haircuts, clothes and, yes, even toilet paper and shampoo.


Total Tuition and Expenses at San Jose State University


Now, let’s go over all of the costs we've covered, to get a better idea of what is really costs to go to SJSU.

Total Cost of SJSU

What will the cost of attending SJSU be? Here is a breakdown of tuition and expenses.

2022 Total Tuition and Expenses
In-state Tuition $5,742
Out-of-State Tuition $15,246
Room and Board $12,641
Board Only $9,745
Other expenses $2,514

The total estimated cost will vary depending on whether you are going to live on-campus or off-campus.

Tuition and fees may vary depending on program, course level, location, and more.


Financial Aid at San Jose State University


In 2022, 13,014 of the 28,201 undergrads enrolled received financial aid. SJSU meets 80% of the demonstrated financial need for undergraduates.

The average financial aid package for a full-time, first-year student is around $19,008 a year. Around 38% of SJSU undergrads take out student loans to cover any remaining costs. SJSU graduates who have student loans graduate with an average of $33,992 of student loan debt.

The average debt for each loan type varies.

Average Debt By Loan Type
Federal Loans $33,447
State Loans $3,967
SJSU-Specific Loans $3,794
Private Loans $13,147
Most Common Loans for SJSU Students
Federal Loans 38%
State loans 3%
Institutional Loans 0.4%
Private loans 56%

Most students take out institutional or government loans, because they tend to have lower interest rates and more flexible repayment options than private loans. Loans from the federal government can be subsidized or unsubsidized. Subsidized loans do not accrue interest during school, while unsubsidized loans begin accruing interest at the time the loan is issued. If students do no qualify for enough federal loans to cover the cost of tuition, some take out private loans. Parents can also take out ParentPLUS loans, which are government loans for parents who are helping their children pay for college.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps colleges determine how much financial need students and their familes have, so they can offer a financial aid package that meets, or come close to meeting, their need. For more information on SJSU financial aid, keep reading, or visit their financial aid website.

Scholarships at San Jose State University

Some students may receive grants and scholarships to help pay for college. Unlike loans, scholarships and grants do not have to be paid back.

In 2022, SJSU awarded 11,511 need-based scholarships to students, giving away total of $116.3 million to help students with financial need cover the cost of school. An additional $320000 thousand in merit-based scholarship money was awarded to students without demonstrated financial need.

Net Cost of San Jose State University

The net price of college is the actual cost of attending a school for one year. Net cost is calculated by subtracting any scholarships, grants or other aid that does not need to be paid back from the total cost. Student loans are not part of the calculation, because they need to be repaid.

Now that we have a sense of the total estimated costs for SJSU students, we can subtract the average financial aid package to find the estimated net cost. Net cost can vary depending on a students’ need and the financial aid award received.

When considering whether a school fits your budget, it is important to consider the estimated net cost, not just the sticker price of tuition. Often, schools with the highest tuition also offer the most generous aid packages, so estimate your net cost before eliminating a school because it does fit your budget.

The average amount of financial aid received by a full-time first year student with demonstrated need at SJSU was $19,008 in 2022. By substracting the average financial aid package from the estimated costs, we get a number that may make the cost of SJSU seem more manageable.

Estimated Net Cost for Full-Time Students
In-State, On-Campus $-13,922
Net In-state, Off-campus $2,443
Out-of-State, On-Campus $14,590

Note: a negative number can indicate that a refund will be given to use toward other expenses such as housing, fees, and books. In such cases, be sure to reach out to the school directly for any clarification or questions.

What will attending SJSU really cost you? The answer depends on several factors.

As of 2011, colleges are required to have a net price calculator on their website to help prospective students and their families understand the actual cost of attending that school, based on their financial situation. You can find the SJSU's net cost calculator on their website.

San Jose State University Tuition Payment Plans

Some students choose to use payment plans to make the cost of tuition fit more comfortably in their budget.

Students cannot pay tuition in installments. Contact the financial aid office to verify this and discuss options.

SJSU Tuition Waivers

Schools sometimes waiver tuition for certain groups, to reduce the total cost of attendance. Some schools offer tuition waivers for faculty, staff, and their families , underrepresented students, or military students. Even if you qualify for a waiver, other expenses and fees are the responsibility of the student.

Check the financial aid website for more information on payment plans and tuition waivers.


Learn More About San Jose State University


Click below to find out more about the admissions requirements and deadlines, student life, academics, majors and more.

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Admissions

Connect with other students, parents, and admissions professionals to learn more about about SJSU in the College Confidential forums

SJSU Tuition & Fees

Tuition & Fees

$26,247

In State

$35,751

Out-of-State
Cost Breakdown
In State
Out-of-State
State Tuition
$5,742
$15,246
Fees
$2,110
$2,110
Housing
$17,360
$17,360
Books
$1,035
$1,035

SJSU Financial Aid

Students Who Receive Need-Based Aid

50%

Average Financial Aid Package

$19,924

Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved

Quick Facts

Total Enrollment

33,808

Campus Setting

Urban

Acceptance Rate

84%

Tuition and Fees

In State

$7,852

Out-of-State

$17,356

Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline

Dec 15
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