San Jose State University (SJSU) is a public university in San Jose, California. It was the first school in the California State University System, and is widely known as the oldest public university on the West Coast. This metropolitan university is located in the downtown area of San Jose on 154 urban acres. SJSU offers both undergraduate and degree programs, and will be launching a doctoral program in 2014. SJSU enrolls over 30,000 students each year, and has an ethnically diverse population. Many of SJSU’s graduates of business, computer science, and engineering go on to prosperous careers in Silicon Valley.
Mission/Vision
The mission of SJSU is, “to enrich the lives of its students, to transmit knowledge to its students along with the necessary skills for applying it in the service of our society, and to expand the base of knowledge through research and scholarship.” SJSU hopes all of its graduates will have developed a depth of specialized knowledge, broad integrative knowledge, intellectual skills, applied skills and knowledge, and the ability to act intentionally and ethically.
Campus Setting
San Jose is the third largest city in California and widely recognized as the capital of Silicon Valley. The campus is located on 154 metropolitan acres, just an hour south of San Francisco and an hour from the Pacific Coast.
Academics
SJSU is ranked as one of the top universities in the country. The university offers a range of 134 undergraduate and graduate degree programs with 110 concentrations. Some of the more popular courses of study are business, engineering, nursing, visual and performing arts, psychology, computer science, and journalism. According to the 2013 Forbes America’s Top Colleges List, SJSU ranked 272nd out of 650 colleges nationwide.
Athletics
The SJSU Spartans compete in NCAA division I athletics and the Mountain West Conference. Title winners include the sports of track and field, golf, and boxing. Alumni from SJSU have won a total of 19 Olympic medals since 1948. In addition to division I programs, the university offers a wide range of athletic opportunities, including an aquatic and fitness center, as well as an intramural sports program. Students take part in many athletic programs, including badminton, skiing, surfing, dancing, and volleyball.
Tuition & Financial Aid
Tuition and fees are calculated based on enrollment units and residency status. For a full-time, California resident, tuition is $4284.50 per semester. Nonresidents pay an extra $372 per unit. Graduate students pay the above amount per semester plus $254 per unit. The financial aid and scholarship office will connect students with funding options made available through federal, state, and on-campus programs.
Accreditation
SJSU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
Admissions
Prospective student applications must include all official transcripts, entrance essays, and SAT or ACT test scores. Admissions are based on the California State University’s eligibility index, which is based on the student’s GPA and test score averages. SJSU has a freshman acceptance rate of 63%. For more information, contact:
Student Services Center
Ninth and East San Fernando Streets
San José, CA 95192-0016
408-283-7500
SJSU admissions
