What SDSU Global Campus does

SDSU Global Campus is the online and continuing education division of San Diego State University, operating within the 23-campus California State University system. The organization delivers bachelor's completion programs, master's degrees, advanced certificates, Open University non-credit certificates, professional development through the Career Skills Institute, corporate training, and the American Language Institute's international English programs. Core technology is built on the Canvas learning management system for course delivery, supplemented by Zoom for live sessions, Microsoft Office 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud for productivity, Handshake and GoingGlobal for career services, and program-specific tools including MATLAB/MathWorks, EndNote, and ExLibris library systems. Research-oriented dashboards such as the SMART social-media analytics tool and the COVID-19 Research Hub support data science coursework. The business model is tuition-driven per-unit pricing (graduate programs range from approximately $543 to $911 per unit, with total program costs between $16,290 and $35,580), supplemented by mandatory per-unit student services fees ($19 Associated Students + $21 Student Engagement), $70 application fees, Open University non-matriculated enrollment, corporate training contracts, and employer tuition-benefit channels including Amazon Career Choice. Go-to-market combines inside sales through an Outreach team and Admissions Advisors, channel partners (Amazon Career Choice, international university partners for GlobalFlex, the CDER consortium for Rehabilitation Counseling, Coursera), and recurring virtual information sessions and application workshops.

Name

SDSU Global Campus

Legal name

San Diego State University

Website

https://globalcampus.sdsu.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1974

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

SDSU Global Campus is the online and continuing education division of San Diego State University, delivering fully online bachelor's, master's, certificate, and professional development programs to working adults, veterans, international students, and corporate-sponsored learners via Canvas LMS.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Higher Education

NAICS

Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (6113), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Educational Support Services (611710), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Online Divisions of Traditional Universities (Hybrid/Extension) (EDAHALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

University/College Continuing Education (Extension) Programs (EDAAAEAA), University-Affiliated Pathway & Foundation Programs (EDAIAJAA), Virtual/Hybrid International Short-Term Academic Programs (EDAIAIAL)

Keywords

• Online degree programs
• Continuing education
• Professional certificates
• Distance learning
• Corporate training

Headquarters

HQ city

San Diego

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Graduate Degree Tuition: Tuition charged per unit for online graduate degree programs. Rates vary by program, ranging from approximately $543 to $911 per unit, with total program costs between $16,290 and $35,580 depending on the program and duration.
2. Undergraduate Degree Tuition: Per-unit tuition for online bachelor's degree completion programs, typically charged at a lower per-unit rate than graduate programs.
3. Open University Course Fees: Non-matriculated students pay per-unit fees for individual courses and certificate programs through Open University. A $35 application processing fee is charged. Credit is non-matriculated resident credit.
4. Student Services Fees: Mandatory fees charged per unit for all Global Campus students: $19 per unit for Associated Students services and $21 per unit for Student Engagement services, regardless of full-time/part-time or online/on-campus status.
5. Corporate Training and Professional Development: Fee-for-service corporate training programs offered through the Career Skills Institute, including professional certificates and custom employer-sponsored programs. Revenue is generated per program or cohort.
6. Application Fees: A $70 non-refundable application fee is charged through Cal State Apply for each program application.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

SDSU Global Campus delivers fully online bachelor's degree completion programs, master's degree programs, professional certificates, Open University non-credit courses, corporate training, international programs via the American Language Institute, and lifelong learning through the Osher Institute. Programs are designed for working adults, career-changers, veterans using VA benefits, and international students via the GlobalFlex hybrid modality, with the same faculty, curriculum, and degree credentials as on-campus SDSU.

Product overview

SDSU Global Campus is an online education platform offering a comprehensive portfolio of degree programs, certificates, and professional development courses from San Diego State University. The platform operates as a multi-product educational ecosystem organized around three primary pillars: (1) Bachelor's and Master's Degree Completion Programs for working adults seeking accredited university degrees entirely online; (2) Certificate Programs spanning Advanced Certificates, Open University Certificates (non-credit, no application required), and Career Training via Coursera partnership; and (3) Specialized Programs including International Programs through ALI, Winter Session intensives, GlobalFlex hybrid Computer Engineering, and Corporate Training. The core delivery mechanism is Canvas LMS, with additional integrations for video conferencing (Zoom), productivity tools (Microsoft Office 365), and career services (Handshake). Programs serve diverse audiences from undergraduate degree completion students to working professionals, military veterans using VA benefits, and international students through hybrid on-campus/online modalities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Bachelor's Degree Completion Programs Online bachelor's degree completion programs for working adults across business administration, criminal justice, child development, civil engineering, communication, economics, and public health, delivered fully online with flexible scheduling.
• Master's Degree Programs Online graduate degree programs spanning data analytics, computer engineering, electrical engineering, regulatory affairs, rehabilitation counseling, teacher leadership, educational leadership, public health, public administration, and business administration, designed for working professionals.
• Master of Science in Big Data Analytics Transdisciplinary online Master of Science in Big Data Analytics combining computational skills (programming languages and software) with analytical methods (data mining, statistics, machine learning, spatiotemporal analysis, visualization). 30 units, 16 months, federal financial aid eligible, ranked #21 by TechGuide.
• Master of Science in Computer Engineering Fully online Master of Science in Computer Engineering blending electrical engineering and computer science, preparing students for hardware and software engineering careers. 30 units, 1.5-3 year completion, federal financial aid eligible, total estimated cost $27,330.
• GlobalFlex Master of Science in Computer Engineering Hybrid modality Master of Science in Computer Engineering allowing international students to complete the first semester online through SDSU's learning platform before transitioning to on-campus study in San Diego. Includes merit-based scholarships up to 40%, OPT eligibility for 3 years (STEM), and I-20 processing support. Total tuition $27,330.
• Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling (CDER) 60-unit online Master of Science in Rehabilitation Counseling delivered through the Consortium for Distance Education in Rehabilitation (CDER), supporting Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) certification eligibility. Cohort-based 3-year program, total estimated cost $35,580, VA benefits accepted.
• Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership Online Master of Arts in Teacher Leadership for experienced teachers with 3+ years in the field seeking leadership roles. 30 units (24 core + 6 research), completed in 12-14 months, total estimated cost $16,290.
• Open University Certificate Programs Non-credit Open University certificate programs available without formal application, including Computational Linguistics, Entertainment Management, Environmental Studies, Geographic Information Science, I/O Psychology, Professional Writing, TESL/TEFL, Text Analytics, Tribal Casino Operations, and Women's Studies. Open enrollment.
• Advanced Certificate Programs Post-baccalaureate advanced certificate programs in Public Health, Regulatory Affairs, Residency Training in Radiation Therapy Physics, and Web and Mobile Application Development for career advancement or specialization.
• Career Skills Institute Professional development and workforce training programs offered through the Career Skills Institute, including Corporate Training and the Career Academy by Coursera partnership, with offerings such as CompTIA certification, medical administrative assistant, and HVAC training.
• Career Academy by Coursera Partnership with Coursera offering access to hundreds of professional certificates and learning paths from industry leaders, designed for workforce development and career skill acquisition with monthly subscription billing.
• Online Career Training Programs Self-paced online career training programs with certification exam vouchers covering medical billing/coding, pharmacy technician, paralegal, solar energy, veterinary assistant, electrician training, and other professional certifications.
• International Programs (American Language Institute) International programs through the American Language Institute including English Language Programs, Semester at SDSU, and Undergraduate Pathway, designed for international students seeking language instruction and U.S. university preparation.
• Winter Session Intensive winter term programs allowing students to accelerate degree progress or catch up on coursework during the winter break period.
• Corporate Training Customized workforce development and corporate training solutions enabling organizations to partner with SDSU Global Campus for employee education, upskilling, and professional development programs.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute @ SDSU Lifelong learning programs for adults 50+ seeking intellectual enrichment and personal growth through non-credit courses and programs focused on personal development rather than career advancement.
• SDSU Global Scholars Scholarly recognition and support program providing Global Campus students with resources and opportunities for academic excellence and research.

Quantifiable outcome

• M.S. in Big Data Analytics graduates: 201,327 job postings in the last 12 months; 11.20% projected job growth; $92,500 average salary
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration13 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Amazon Career ChoicecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAmazon Career Choice is an employer-funded tuition benefit program through which Amazon covers tuition costs for eligible employees pursuing approved education programs. SDSU Global Campus is a recognized Amazon Career Choice partner, enabling Amazon employees to use their employer-sponsored tuition benefits to enroll in certificate and degree programs offered by SDSU Global Campus.
• Consortium for Distance Education in Rehabilitation (CDER)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCDER is a consortium of institutions delivering the M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling (60-unit master's degree) fully online. SDSU participates in CDER, which uses shared admission and retention criteria, curriculum requirements, student learning outcomes, and graduation standards. Students in the CDER program are located throughout the United States, including American Samoa, Guam, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands.
• International University Partner Institutions (GlobalFlex)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe GlobalFlex M.S. in Computer Engineering is offered through partnerships with dozens of international university institutions. These partner institutions refer and prepare candidates for admission to the SDSU GlobalFlex program, facilitate visa support and I-20 processing, and may offer foundation programs for non-STEM applicants. The partnerships enable SDSU to recruit international students and provide a structured pathway from home-country study to on-campus completion in San Diego.
• Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center (SDSU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Joan and Art Barron Veterans Center is SDSU's central hub for military-connected students, processing VA education benefits (Chapters 30, 31, 32, 33, 35, 1606) and providing G.I. Bill support. SDSU Global Campus students using VA benefits are certified through this center, which also serves as a physical space for veterans on campus and coordinates with the SDSU Global Campus Military Veterans Services Representative.
• CLC Legal Plans IncorporatedminorOthersAssociated Students has partnered with CLC Legal Plans Incorporated to provide free or discounted legal and financial services to enrolled SDSU students. This is a student services partnership accessible to all SDSU Global Campus students.
• Coursera (Career Academy by Coursera)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSDSU Global Campus partners with Coursera to offer Career Academy professional certificates and online career training programs. This partnership expands SDSU Global Campus's reach by listing programs on Coursera's global online learning marketplace, exposing the institution to Coursera's millions of learners worldwide.
• California State Approving Agency for Veterans Education (CSAAVE)coreOthersCSAAVE is the state agency that approves programs for VA education benefits in California. SDSU Global Campus programs must be approved by CSAAVE and the Department of Veterans Affairs to be eligible for GI Bill funding. The relationship is regulatory in nature but essential for serving the veteran student segment.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves1 record

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Western Governors University: WGU is a fully online, competency-based, nonprofit university serving working adults with flexible tuition and accelerated degree paths. It is an established broad incumbent competing with SDSU Global Campus for the same working-adult, career-advancer audience, but without the traditional campus brand association.
• Purdue University Global: Purdue Global is Purdue University's online institution offering associate, bachelor's, and master's degrees primarily for working adults and adult learners. It overlaps with SDSU Global Campus on online degrees for adult and workforce populations, leveraging the Purdue brand but with an online-first operating model.
• University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix is an established online and working-adult-focused institution offering degrees and certificates with strong employer and military tie-ins. It is a broad incumbent competing for the same working-adult, career-changer, and veteran segments as SDSU Global Campus.
• Southern New Hampshire University: SNHU is a large private nonprofit with a substantial online division offering degrees and certificates at lower per-program pricing. It is a broad incumbent competing for working adults and online learners and one of the most visible large-scale online degree competitors to public-university online divisions.

Direct peers

• Arizona State University Online (ASU Online): ASU Online is the online learning division of Arizona State University, a top-ranked public research university. Like SDSU Global Campus, it offers the same degrees and faculty online as on-campus, targets working adults, and competes for the same working-adult and career-advancer segments.
• Oregon State University Ecampus: Oregon State Ecampus is the online division of Oregon State University, offering degrees and certificates fully online with the same OSU credentials. It mirrors SDSU Global Campus's structure of online degrees, certificates, and stackable credentials delivered under a public-university brand.
• Penn State World Campus: Penn State World Campus is the online campus of Pennsylvania State University, offering 200+ degree and certificate programs online. It is one of the largest and most established online divisions of a U.S. public university and a direct comparable to SDSU Global Campus's online degree + certificate model.
• UCLA Extension: UCLA Extension is the continuing education and online division of UCLA, offering certificate programs, professional development, and online courses under the UCLA brand. It is the closest California-based parallel to SDSU Global Campus's Open University and certificate programs.
• University of Florida Online: UF Online delivers University of Florida bachelor's and master's degrees fully online with the same faculty and curriculum. It is among the top-ranked public-university online programs and competes directly with SDSU Global Campus for working adults and graduate-program applicants.

Others

• Coursera: Coursera is both a distribution partner (Career Academy by SDSU) and an adjacent competitor in the online credential space, offering degrees, certificates, and short courses from universities globally. It is comparable as an ecosystem participant rather than a direct degree substitute.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/SDSUGlobalCampus
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/sdsu-global-campus

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about SDSU Global Campus