Let’s start with the big one: tuition. If you’re an in-state student, you’ll pay around $8,000 a year. That’s more than a used Honda Civic, but at least that car can take you to the beach after finals. Out-of-state students? You’re looking at roughly $20,000. I’d call that a “sunshine tax,” but even the sun doesn’t charge that much for a tan.
Here’s a surprising fact: California residents actually get a sweet deal compared to other state universities. SDSU’s tuition has been frozen for multiple years, which is like finding a parking spot during Comic-Con—rare and glorious. But don’t celebrate yet, because we’re just getting started.
The Fee-ver of Hidden Costs
Now, let’s talk about the mandatory fees. SDSU doesn’t just charge you for classes—they charge you for everything else. You’ll pay a “Student Body Association Fee” to fund clubs you’ll never join, and a “Health Services Fee” for a clinic you’ll only visit after the third taco from a sketchy campus cart.
Oh, and there’s a “Recreational Sports Fee.” This one is pure genius. You pay for a gym you swore you’d use every morning, but instead you just walk past it to get coffee. That gym fee is basically a donation to your future regrets.
Fun fact: SDSU once had a “Green Initiative Fee” that funded a campus garden. I’m not joking. You literally pay to watch lettuce grow. It’s adorable, but also your money.
