SDSU

Higher Education / Public Research Universitysdsu.edu

San Diego State University is a public R1 research university in San Diego, California, part of the 22-campus CSU system, serving undergraduate, graduate, international, and non-traditional learners through 220+ degree programs across 10 colleges and multiple physical and online campuses, with $230M in annual research funding and a 500,000+ alumni network.

Company typePublic
Founded1897
HeadquartersSan Diego, United States
Headcount1,001–5,000
GTM typeB2C
OfferingServices

What SDSU does

San Diego State University (SDSU) is a public R1 research university founded in 1897 and operated as part of the 22-campus California State University system, headquartered at 5500 Campanile Drive in San Diego, California. SDSU serves undergraduate, graduate, international, and non-traditional learners through more than 220 degree programs across 10 colleges, plus SDSU Global Campus for online and continuing education, and reaches approximately 500,000 living alumni. The institution generates substantial research output — $230 million in annual external funding and more than $620 million over the last three years — and reports a $9.65 billion statewide economic impact with 26,000 jobs supported, positioning it as the highest-impact campus in the CSU system.

The university operates a digital ecosystem comprising SDSUid identity and authentication, the Canvas learning management system, my.SDSU student portal, Google Workspace for Education, Microsoft 365, ExLibris Alma/Primo library systems, Adobe Creative Cloud, PeopleSoft HR, and ServiceNow for IT service management, supported by specialized infrastructure including Connected Classrooms and Learning Glass displays. SDSU has built AI capability into both curriculum (BS in Artificial Intelligence and Human Responsibility, first of its kind in the CSU system) and faculty development (Academic Applications of AI Micro-Credential, expanded across the CSU system), and has launched applied research initiatives such as the MASGA U.S. Maritime R&D Hub with Samsung Heavy Industries.

SDSU's business model blends recurring state appropriations and tuition across multiple delivery channels (residential main campus, online, Imperial Valley, Mission Valley, SDSU Georgia, Oaxaca), supplemented by research grants, philanthropy (e.g., a $2.5 million Partrick-Clayes gift), athletics (newly in the Pac-12 Conference), and auxiliary services operated by Associated Students. With $12.66 in statewide economic activity per $1 of state investment and an average graduate earnings premium of $505,286 versus non-degree holders, SDSU monetizes a diversified mix of public funding, tuition, sponsored research, and donor capital rather than any single revenue line.

SDSU firmographics

Firmographics

Name: SDSU
Legal name: San Diego State University
Website: https://sdsu.edu
Company type: Public
Founded year: 1897
Operating status: Operating
Headcount range: 1,001–5,000 employees
Short description: San Diego State University is a public R1 research university in San Diego, California, part of the 22-campus CSU system, serving undergraduate, graduate, international, and non-traditional learners through 220+ degree programs across 10 colleges and multiple physical and online campuses, with $230M in annual research funding and a 500,000+ alumni network.
Ownership category
akta.pro rank

SDSU industry classification

Industry

Product category: Higher Education / Public Research University
NAICS: Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113)
akta.pro primary industry: Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems (EDAHAAAI)

Keywords

Public research university
Undergraduate degree programs
Graduate education
Online continuing education
Academic research programs

Where SDSU is headquartered

Location

Headquarters

HQ city: San Diego
HQ country: United States
HQ region: North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

SDSU business model

Business model

GTM type: B2C
Offering type: Services
Cost components: Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

State Funding (California State University): SDSU receives operational funding from the California State University system and the state of California, which represents the primary public funding source for the university's activities.
Student Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated from tuition and fees paid by undergraduate and graduate students, including both in-state and out-of-state students.
Research Grants and External Funding: SDSU researchers secured more than $620 million in external funding over the last three years, representing significant research grant revenue.
Alumni Giving and Donor Contributions: The university receives charitable contributions from alumni and donors, including major gifts such as Jeffrey Partrick and Trulette Clayes' $2.5 million gift to the Fowler College of Business and John Baldwin's $150,000 donation for The Daily Aztec newsroom.

Pricing tiers

Model	Billing	Price
Subscription	Annual	Standard undergraduate/graduate tuition

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels9 records

SDSU product offering

Product offering

Core offering

San Diego State University is a public R1 research university delivering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and professional degree programs across 10 colleges and 220+ programs. It provides residential instruction at its main San Diego campus, online and continuing education through SDSU Global Campus, and serves international students via regional campuses in Imperial Valley, Georgia, and Oaxaca. Core offerings include degree completion, faculty AI micro-credentialing, applied research, NCAA Division I athletics, and student support services.

Product overview

SDSU provides a comprehensive digital ecosystem for higher education consisting of core identity management (SDSUid), learning platforms (Canvas LMS), productivity tools (SDSU Google Workspace and Microsoft 365), and student services (my.SDSU portal). The institution has developed AI-related offerings including the Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) Micro-Credential for faculty and the Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Human Responsibility. SDSU also operates specialized technology infrastructure including Connected Classrooms with Learning Glass technology, and research centers like the MASGA maritime R&D hub focused on AI shipbuilding automation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

Fowler College of Business: Business college offering undergraduate and graduate business degrees
College of Education
College of Engineering
College of Health and Human Services
College of Sciences
College of Arts and Letters
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
College of Graduate Studies
Weber Honors College
SDSU Library
Children's Center
Academic Applications of AI (AAAI) Micro-Credential
Aztec Recreation (ARC)
Associated Students
SDSU Global Campus
SDSU Mission Valley
SDSU Imperial Valley

Products and services

Undergraduate Degree Programs

Quantifiable outcome

$12.66 in statewide economic activity generated for every $1 state investment
+5 more outcomes

Companies that use SDSU

Customer profile

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

SDSU technology and API

Technology

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API: No
API docs
API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability4 records

SDSU partnerships and signals

Strategic signal

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

Samsung Heavy IndustriescoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2026Samsung Heavy Industries and SDSU launched a U.S. maritime R&D hub on March 14, 2026, focusing on AI shipbuilding automation, robotics, and eco-friendly vessel design. The center aims to enhance U.S. shipbuilding capabilities and meet rising demand for related sensors, software, and power systems. It will host joint projects, training, and pilot testing in automation, robotics, and low-emission ship technologies.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for innovation projects between SDSU and San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, supporting research and collaborative initiatives in wildlife conservation and related fields.
San Diego Unified School DistrictcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExpanded collaboration with San Diego Unified School District as part of workforce development initiatives, teacher preparation programs, and educational pipeline partnerships serving the regional community.
Kumeyaay Community CollegeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Kumeyaay Community College for expanded educational access and collaboration in the region.
Universidad Autónoma de Baja CaliforniaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSDSU program with Universidad Autónoma de Baja California built connections for immersive international business experience, providing cross-border educational opportunities for SDSU accounting students.
California State University SystemcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAs a member of the 22-campus CSU system, SDSU participates in systemwide initiatives including the AI micro-credential program expanded across CSU campuses and the San Diego Community College District.
San Diego Community College DistrictminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI micro-credential program expanded to the San Diego Community College District, extending faculty development initiatives beyond SDSU to regional community colleges.

Scale indicators16 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

SDSU competitors and assessment

Company assessment

Direct peers

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo: A leading CSU campus known for strong career outcomes and industry partnerships; directly competes with SDSU for California applicants, faculty, and STEM research dollars.
California State University, Fullerton: A large CSU campus in Southern California with comparable scale and student demographics; competes directly with SDSU for transfer students, employer partnerships, and regional research dollars.
San Jose State University: Another major CSU campus in California with comparable scale, R1 ambitions, and similar urban setting; competes directly with SDSU for in-state students, research funding, and employer partnerships.

Broad incumbents

Stanford University: A leading private research university in California that competes with SDSU for top STEM students, AI and tech-industry research partnerships, and Silicon Valley/San Diego corporate relationships.
University of Southern California (USC): A large private research university in Southern California that competes for students, faculty, and research funding in the region and Pac-12/Pac-12-aligned athletics.
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): A flagship UC research university with comparable scale, R1 status, and large alumni network; competes with SDSU for California applicants, faculty, and Pac-12 athletic brand positioning.
University of California, Berkeley: A flagship UC research university with R1 status and similar large-scale research and employer engagement; competes with SDSU for top applicants, faculty talent, and major federal research grants.
UC San Diego: A premier UC research university in San Diego that competes with SDSU for top in-state applicants, research grants, and San Diego-based industry partnerships, but operates as a more research-intensive institution.

Regional players

Point Loma Nazarene University: A private San Diego university with comparable regional employer relationships and student segments; serves as a local alternative for San Diego applicants considering SDSU.
University of San Diego: A private university in San Diego serving comparable local student segments with overlapping graduate and professional programs; a regional alternative to SDSU in the same metro.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

SDSU financial estimates

Financial estimate

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

SDSU leadership team

Management profile

Number of profiles

Profiles11 records

SDSU subsidiaries and ownership

Company hierarchy

Subsidiaries6 records

SDSU funding detail

Funding detail

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

SDSU M&A and investment

M&A and investment

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about SDSU

What does SDSU do?

Is SDSU a public or private company?

SDSU is a public company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.

When was SDSU founded?

SDSU was founded in 1897. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.

Where is SDSU based?

SDSU is headquartered in San Diego, United States, in the North America region.

How does SDSU make money?

Four revenue lines are on record. State Funding (California State University) is the primary driver. The others are student Tuition and Fees, research Grants and External Funding and alumni Giving and Donor Contributions.

Who are SDSU's main competitors?

Direct peers on record are Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, California State University, Fullerton and San Jose State University. Broad incumbents are Stanford University, University of Southern California (USC), University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California, Berkeley and UC San Diego. Regional players are Point Loma Nazarene University and University of San Diego.

Does SDSU have an API?

No public API is recorded for SDSU.

What industry is SDSU in?

SDSU's product category is Higher Education / Public Research University. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAHAAAI, Public Research Universities with Multi-Campus Systems. Its NAICS code is 6113.