San Diego State University

Situated just miles from the Pacific Ocean and less than an hour from the Mexican border, San Diego State University is standing proudly on a 283-acre urban campus in the heart of the second largest city in California and one of the fastest-growing cities in the nation. As a member of the prestigious American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU), SDSU is a public research institution with high research activity. Ranking among the top ten universities nationwide in terms of ethnic and racial diversity, SDSU is home to more than 32,000 students, which makes it the largest higher learning institution in San Diego County.

As the oldest higher education facility within San Diego County, the university was initially founded in 1897 as the San Diego Normal School to educate local women as elementary school teachers. Quickly being renamed the San Diego State Teachers College, the institution outgrew its original campus and moved to its current location on a mesa in 1931. When the school expanded its offerings beyond teacher education, it became San Diego State College in 1935 and was welcomed as part of the California State University system.

With an outstanding reputation for academic excellence, San Diego State University is ranked as the 152nd best college, 81st top public school, and 14th best up-and-coming college in the entire nation by the U.S. News and World Report. Fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), SDSU awards 189 bachelor's degree, 91 master's degree, and 25 doctoral degree programs. Enrolling the largest student body of doctoral students in the entire university system, the highest ranked programs at the selective university are in business, education, engineering, clinical psychology, healthcare management, nursing, and public health.

Since thousands of students live on the residential campus, San Diego State University welcomes students to participate in over 100 student organizations, along with a total of 52 social and professional fraternities and sororities. With a NCAA Division I Athletics program among the strongest in southern California that consistently achieves national rankings and post-season play, the SDSU Aztecs compete in 18 intercollegiate varsity teams. Some of the most notable alumni include actress Julie Kavner, astronaut Ellen Ochoa, actor Gregory Peck, former mayor Jerry Sanders, actress Marion Ross, news anchor Courtney Friel, and MLB star Tony Gwynn Jr.