Founded in 1857, San José State is the oldest public institution of higher education on the West Coast. From its beginnings as a normal school to train teachers for the developing frontier, SJSU has matured into a metropolitan university that offers 145 areas of study with an additional 108 concentrations.

Located in the heart of Silicon Valley, SJSU's distinctive character has been forged by its long history, and by its vision -- a blend of the old and the new, of the traditional and the innovative. Among its most prized traditions is an uncompromising commitment to offer access to higher education to all persons who meet the criteria for admission, yielding a stimulating mix of age groups, cultures, and economic backgrounds for teaching, learning and research. SJSU takes pride in and is firmly committed to teaching and learning, with a faculty that is active in scholarship, research, technological innovation, community service and the arts.

Why San José State University

San José State University is the number one supplier of education, engineering, computer science and business graduates to Silicon Valley, the world's high tech capital. SJSU is also ranked in the top 15 master's-level public universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report in its annual survey of "America's Best Colleges."

SJSU is ranked among the top 200 universities in the nation for total research spending (National Science Foundation) and is a research partner with NASA Ames Research Center.

Upon graduating from SJSU graduates will have intellectual skills to help in life long learning, effective communication, and the ability to use specific theories and technology. As well, graduates will have gained the ability to apply their knowledge and skills to new settings and in addressing complex problems. All graduates of SJSU will have gained an understanding of social and global responsibilities and the ability to act ethically and understand diverse, global perspectives.

In collaboration with nearby industries and communities, SJSU faculty and staff are dedicated to achieving the university's mission as a responsive institution of the state of California: 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.