In fall 2025, SJSU admitted 82% of first-time freshman applicants to Marine Biology (299 of 364), compared with 79% for all majors. That is down from 90% in 2021. Of the freshmen admitted, 7.4% enrolled, so only 6% of applicants ended up starting in the major.
Marine Biology admissions, 2021–2025
| Fall | Freshmen applied | Admitted | Admit rate | Enrolled | Transfers applied | Admitted | Admit rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 364 | 299 | 82% | 22 | 25 | <10 | <10 admitted |
| 2024 | 396 | 369 | 93% | 38 | 28 | 10 | 36% |
| 2023 | 324 | 299 | 92% | 36 | 22 | 15 | 68% |
| 2022 | 286 | 241 | 84% | 20 | 35 | 25 | 71% |
| 2021 | 193 | 173 | 90% | 15 | 29 | 15 | 52% |
Area: Biological Science. “<10” means CSU did not report a group smaller than 10.
SJSU’s published cutoffs
Lowest freshman impaction score admitted to Marine Biology:
| Fall | Minimum score | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2480 | About a 3.10 GPA for a non-local applicant (2.85 for a Santa Clara County applicant) |
| 2025 | 2000 | Every CSU-eligible applicant was admitted |
| 2024 | 2000 | Every CSU-eligible applicant was admitted |
Score = 800 × a-g GPA, plus 200 for local (Santa Clara County) applicants and 40 each for fee waiver, first-generation or military status. The GPA shown assumes no bonus points beyond the local bonus.
How admission works
- Every major at SJSU is impacted. Applicants are ranked within their major using an impaction score: 800 × your a-g GPA, plus 200 points if you graduate from a Santa Clara County high school (the same as 0.25 GPA), plus 40 points each for a Cal State Apply fee waiver, first-generation status or military service.
- Engineering majors add 400 × your math GPA, so the scores for engineering are on a different scale.
- SJSU publishes the lowest score it admitted in each major every year. A score of 2000 means every CSU-eligible applicant (2.5 GPA) to that major was admitted.
- Transfers are ranked by self-reported GPA within each major; Santa Clara and Santa Cruz County community college students get a 0.25 GPA boost, and some majors also give credit for completed prep courses.
Frequently asked questions
What is the SJSU Marine Biology acceptance rate?
In fall 2025, SJSU admitted 82% (299 of 364) of first-time freshman applicants to Marine Biology, compared with 79% for all majors.
What GPA do you need for Marine Biology at SJSU?
For fall 2026, the lowest impaction score SJSU admitted to Marine Biology was 2480: about a 3.10 GPA for a non-local applicant (2.85 for a Santa Clara County applicant).
More for SJSU
Source: California State University, Applications and Admissions Dashboard by Discipline, fall 2021–2025 (first-time freshmen and undergraduate transfers); SJSU impaction results from sjsu.edu. CSU counts every application submitted, including ones later withdrawn, left incomplete or not meeting minimum eligibility, so admit rates among complete applications are somewhat higher. “Non-residents” includes out-of-state and international applicants. “<10” means CSU did not report a group smaller than 10. This site is independent and not affiliated with the California State University. Admit rates describe past applicants, not any individual student’s chances.