San Diego State University (SDSU)

San Diego State University is a top research university that offers "a unique and full college experience to every student while...preparing them for a future in the workforce." Many professors have successful backgrounds in their respective fields, allowing them to share "credible and valuable learning experiences" with their students. In addition, the faculty designs classes that "are project-based so we have real work to show after graduation." Students also appreciate the "plethora of programs offered to students and the hundreds of resources available," with one student adding, "Everything is here for you to succeed, you only have to grab it." Professors "make learning the material easy and fun" and "classrooms are conducted with enthusiasm and passion for both educating and the subjects themselves." They "actively engage the students in meaningful conversations about the topic discussed and create a welcoming learning environment." This environment fosters a sense of community, "where professors have an open-door policy and are truly invested in our success." One student adds, "I feel that I learn a lot of important and interesting information on a daily basis that benefits me in my everyday life." Overall, students feel the university provides "an excellent learning environment...[and] supplies an endless amount of activities and opportunities that allow its students to have fun and enjoy their time at San Diego State."

Aztecs are described as "intelligent, very diverse, [and] amazing people" who are generally "very friendly and accepting." One student says, "It's a very social school that knows how to have fun and study very hard to make room for all the opportunities the school has to offer." Overall, "the community here is very friendly, smart, and laid back" and has "an overall good energy." As one student explains, "You feel comfortable talking to people since everyone is so outgoing." Another undergrad notes that "nearly all the students here have side hobbies or pastimes, as a break from the books." This is truly southern California, and many students here "have a physical fitness mindset," and "try to get some exercise each day." Much of the student body "is involved in clubs, athletics, or other school-run organizations," providing "endless opportunities to meet new people because the campus is swarming with students."

SDSU is a "very social and outgoing campus," and students agree that "it's hard not to be happy when living in beautiful San Diego." Being located in San Diego "means that flip flops are appropriate attire year-round, and you can see students skateboarding, longboarding, penny-boarding, you-name-it-boarding down the bike paths on campus." With over four hundred student organizations, "involvement in school clubs is common," and "there are tight communities focused on extracurricular activities." The school also has "amazing athletics" programs, drawing enthusiastic crowds for "football, basketball, and other sporting events." Many students agree that "the best part of going to school here is the beach," which they visit "almost year-round, and water sports are very popular." Students love living in San Diego because it "is a great hybrid between an active city life and a laid-back beach town." The "campus is located ten minutes from Fashion Valley or Balboa Park, and there are tons of good restaurants around. It is also very close to the Mexican border for easy day trips." Students also like to "go on hikes at Cowles Mountain or Potato Chip Rock, have dinner and drinks downtown or in Pacific Beach, hang out with each other, and go to many different types of parties." Greek life "is very active on campus, which makes it very fun," and the nightlife "is second to none when it comes to how fun all the parties are."

San Diego State is effective at “ensuring students have local and abroad opportunities during college, as well as job offers waiting at graduation.” Experiential learning at San Diego State doesn’t just mean off-campus learning; it ranges from on-campus jobs to community engagement and service learning. With the help of Handshake, Career Services gives students and alumni access to thousands of for-credit internship and job opportunities as well as scheduled career events. At Internship Central, students can find resources outlining steps to obtain internships, including a directory of internship contacts based on academic department, with the chance to have Lunch and Learn meetings with faculty. Students can also be mentored through the Aztec Mentor Program, which connects juniors and seniors with alumni and professional mentors for career advisement. In the Virtual Career Resource Library, students can find tips to polish interview skills, read the Career Launch guidebook, and discover the potential of micro-internships. The school partners with thousands of alumni and organizations to provide opportunities in both the nonprofit and for-profit sectors, hosting two-day career fairs each semester. Out of alumni who visited PayScale.com, 52 percent reported that they derive a high level of meaning from their jobs, and graduates earn a median starting salary of $66,200.