How to Apply to Engineering at San Diego State University: Apply Directly to an Engineering Major on Cal State Apply, Every Major Impacted with Preference for Strong Science and Math, and a 2.7 GPA in Calculus, Physics and Other Impaction Courses to Enter the Major, for Local, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Students

San Diego State University (SDSU) is part of the California State University (CSU) system, and undergraduate engineering is in its College of Engineering. Here is a guide based on SDSU’s website for US students, international students, applicants from China and transfer students.

1. Majors

• Seven engineering bachelor’s degrees: Aerospace, Civil, Construction, Environmental, Computer, Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, plus a Civil Engineering degree completion program and an engineering minor for students in other colleges.
• Mechanical Engineering, Bioengineering emphasis: listed separately by the college’s Center for Student Success in Engineering.
• Construction Management: the center’s lists also include a B.S. in Construction Management, with a lower threshold (section 2).
• ABET: the college says all its bachelor’s programs are accredited by the ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission.

2. Admission: apply to a major, then complete impaction courses

• Choose a major when you apply, through the CSU’s Cal State Apply. All SDSU majors are impacted; besides all college-prep coursework, SDSU looks at courses most relevant to your intended major, and for Computer Science and Engineering, preference goes to applicants with strong grades in science and math. You may choose an alternate major, considered only if space remains.
• No separate engineering application: the college says undergraduate admission follows SDSU and CSU policies.
• Impaction courses to enter the major (C or better in each, with the required GPA in these courses):
  • Aerospace and Mechanical (including Bioengineering): Calculus I and II (MATH 150, 151), Physics I and II (PHYS 195, 196), chemistry (CHEM 202 or 200) and Statics (AE or ME 200), GPA 2.7;
  • Civil, Environmental and Construction Engineering: Calculus I and II, Physics I and II, chemistry and Mechanics for Civil Engineers (CIVE 225), GPA 2.7;
  • Computer and Electrical Engineering: Calculus I and II, Physics I and II, Introduction to Computer Programming (COMPE 160) and Circuit Analysis I (EE 210), GPA 2.7;
  • Construction Management: Calculus I, Fundamentals of Physics I and II (PHYS 180A, 180B), Preparation for General Chemistry (CHEM 103) and CIVE 225, GPA 2.5.
• Versions: the center posts separate impaction handouts for “2026 and later” and “2021–2025”, by entry year.
• Changing into engineering: the same courses at C or better, a 2.7 GPA (2.5 for Construction Management), no more than two course repeats in all coursework, all prerequisites met and at least 15 units completed at SDSU; submit the interest form once, at the end of the semester you finish the criteria, as later submissions move you to the back of the queue. The center notes the criteria can change at any time.

3. High school preparation

• CSU A–G courses: 15 year-long college-prep courses at C- or better, including 3 years of math (4 recommended; algebra I and II, geometry and higher) and 2 years of laboratory science (3 recommended; one biological and one physical science).
• Engineering: the first-year page says only that strong science and math grades get preference; no separate engineering prerequisites are published.
• Testing: in line with the CSU, SDSU does not use SAT or ACT scores for admission; scores may be used for math and writing placement after admission.

4. Dates and general requirements (fall 2027)

• US first-year applicants: the application opens August 1, with submission from October 1 to November 30, 2026; no late applications.
• GPA: admitted students average a 3.9 high school GPA; the CSU minimum A–G GPA is 2.5 for California residents and California high school graduates, and 3.0 for non-residents and graduates of non-California high schools.
• Fee: $70, nonrefundable.
• Self-reported review: transcripts are needed only after admission; in-progress or planned courses must be completed with C- or better by the end of spring 2027, and a D or F in senior year or a GPA drop below what you reported may lead to withdrawal of the offer.

5. US students

• Local consideration: SDSU gives special consideration to students from high schools in its local admission area, students who have overcome obstacles and participants in college-prep programs.
• Housing: first-year students graduating in spring 2027 from high schools outside the local admission area must live on campus for two years.
• 2026-27 California resident costs: CSU basic tuition $6,838 and campus fees $2,942; the full-year budget is $36,432 living in university housing, $26,216 with parents and $36,236 off campus.
• Non-residents: add non-resident tuition ($471 per unit, $14,130 for 15 units a semester) and a $3,000 out-of-state and international student fee; about $53,562 in total living in university housing.
• Under the CSU tuition plan adopted in 2024, tuition rises 6% a year for five years.

6. International students

• Deadlines: international first-year early consideration by November 30, with decisions by early spring for complete files; regular deadline April 1, with rolling decisions. SDSU has no spring first-year admission.
• Grades: completion of secondary school with a US-equivalent GPA of 3.00 or higher (B or 80%).
• English (if your school’s main language of instruction is not English, one of): TOEFL 80 (4 on the new scale for tests after January 21, 2026), IELTS 6.5, Duolingo 105 or PTE 58 within two years; or ACT English 22, SAT reading and writing 550, IB Higher Level English 4–7, or AP English 3+.
• Costs: as for non-residents (section 5), plus required health insurance of about $1,866 a year. We did not check international scholarships.

7. Applicants from China

• Documents: transcripts for each year (grades 9–12 or 10–12) and, if graduated, a certified copy of the graduation certificate from the school or education authority, with certified English translations, in sealed envelopes.
• Grades: a converted GPA of 3.00 or higher. How the Gaokao is used is not published; ask international admissions.
• Math and science: engineering favors strong science and math grades, and in the first year you should take Calculus I and II and physics as early as possible.

8. Transfer students

• Upper-division only: 60 transferable semester units (90 quarter units) by the end of spring 2027; summer courses do not count.
• Golden Four: oral communication, written communication, critical thinking and mathematics/quantitative reasoning, each at C- or better, plus at least 30 units of general education and all major preparation courses listed in the catalog.
• Fall 2027 minimum cumulative GPA for engineering: 2.70 for Aerospace, Civil, Computer, Construction, Electrical, Environmental and Mechanical (including Bioengineering); 2.50 for Construction Management. Space is limited, and higher GPAs may get priority.
• Timeline: submit from October 1 to November 30, 2026; no spring 2027 transfer admission.
• Coursework abroad: send a course-by-course evaluation from an approved agency such as WES or IERF; the Golden Four must be taken at a US regionally accredited institution.

Checklist

US students:

• Submit on Cal State Apply from October 1 to November 30, 2026, choosing an engineering major and optionally an alternate
• Take strong math and science in high school; no SAT/ACT needed
• After entry, take calculus, physics and the other impaction courses at C or better with a 2.7 GPA

International students (including from China):

• Complete your file by November 30 for an early decision, April 1 at the latest; GPA 3.00+, IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 4 (new scale)
• Prepare yearly transcripts and a certified graduation certificate with translations; ask about the Gaokao

Transfer students:

• 60 units, the Golden Four and engineering major preparation, GPA 2.70 or higher; submit by November 30, 2026

Sources: San Diego State University, College of Engineering undergraduate programs; College of Engineering admissions; Engineering impaction criteria; Change of major criteria; First-year students; International first-year students; Country requirements; Transfer students; Transfer minimum requirements; Fall 2027 transfer major GPA requirements; International transfers; California resident cost of attendance; Non-resident cost of attendance. Check SDSU’s website for the latest.