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Is San Jose State University worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for San Jose State, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Workable
San Jose State lands in the workable band for a typical family. Median debt of $15,000 can be carried by median long-run earnings of $78,988, but the margin is not huge. For context, San Jose State's net price is about 5% above the typical 4-year, public school. This is the kind of school where your actual aid offer can move the answer meaningfully.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 774 similar 4-year, public schools
This school
$13,833
/yrAverage school like this
$13,155
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $679 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $3,000 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$13,760
Median earnings 10 years out
$78,988
Median debt at graduation
$15,000
Graduation rate
67%
At San Jose State, a typical graduate carries about $15,000 in student debt and earns roughly $78,988 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $171 per month, or 3% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
San Jose State is a public four year school in San Jose, CA. For many families, the key question is whether the published value here beats cheaper in state or regional alternatives once your real aid offer arrives.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
Public 4-year
California State University-Monterey Bay
Seaside, CA
Worth-It Score: 72/100
Median net price: $13,663
Public 4-year
University of California-Berkeley
Berkeley, CA
Worth-It Score: 93/100
Median net price: $13,481
Public 4-year
University of California-Irvine
Irvine, CA
Worth-It Score: 89/100
Median net price: $14,251
Public 4-year
University of California-Riverside
Riverside, CA
Worth-It Score: 81/100
Median net price: $14,304
Public 4-year
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
Arcata, CA
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $13,171
Common questions about San Jose State
The median net price at San Jose State is $13,760 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at public universities options in California? See the most affordable public universities in California →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →