What Verdica's 787 score means for San Diego State University
San Diego State University's composite score of 787 out of 850 places it in the "strong" band (740–799), indicating solid regulatory standing and institutional quality across the dimensions Verdica measures. A score in this range reflects an education provider that meets or exceeds baseline compliance requirements and demonstrates generally positive student outcomes, though it is not in the highest tier.
For a reader considering whether to enroll, transfer credits, or partner with this institution, a 787 score suggests lower regulatory risk than providers scoring below 670. However, it also signals that there are measurable areas—most notably Student Outcomes—where performance is more modest relative to the institution's accreditation and compliance strengths. This is a meaningful distinction: the university is not flagged as high-risk by regulators, but prospective students should understand that outcomes data reflects room for improvement in areas like graduation rates, employment metrics, or earnings post-graduation.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation: 845. This exceptional sub-score indicates that San Diego State University holds current, unrestricted regional or programmatic accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. A score this high reflects absence of sanctions, warnings, or probationary status. Accreditation is the primary gating mechanism for Title IV eligibility (federal student aid) and is typically the strongest compliance signal available to consumers. A high accreditation score does not guarantee program quality in all disciplines but does mean an external body has validated that the institution meets baseline educational standards.
Student Outcomes: 685. This sub-score falls in the "acceptable" band (670–739) and is the lowest of the three dimensions. In the education industry, student outcomes typically measure graduation rates, retention, employment placement, and earnings post-graduation—data drawn from IPEDS reporting and other federal sources. A score of 685 suggests San Diego State's outcomes are in line with regulatory thresholds but lag behind peer institutions or national benchmarks in one or more key metrics. This warrants direct inquiry: prospective students should request specific graduation and employment data for their intended program, as institution-level scores can mask variation across schools and majors.
Compliance: 835. This strong sub-score reflects adherence to Title IV requirements, including proper handling of federal student aid funds, satisfactory academic progress policies, and absence of material violations flagged by the Department of Education or accreditors. A score this high indicates low regulatory friction and suggests the institution has robust internal controls around financial aid administration and disclosure practices.
What regulators in CA track for education providers
California and federal regulators monitor education providers along three primary axes that feed into Verdica's score:
Accreditation status is verified against the Department of Education's database of recognized accrediting bodies. Providers lose points for probation, restricted status, or sanctions from their regional or programmatic accreditor.
Title IV compliance examines a provider's stewardship of federal student aid. Regulators flag violations related to misuse of funds, false enrollment reporting, failure to calculate satisfactory academic progress correctly, or inadequate disclosure of costs and outcomes. These issues can result in fines, suspension of aid eligibility, or loss of accreditation.
IPEDS data includes graduation rates, retention rates, cost of attendance, and financial aid distribution. These metrics are published annually and form the basis for consumer-facing tools and regulator oversight. Outliers or declining trends can trigger closer scrutiny.
Scores move downward when institutions face sanctions, lose accreditation, or report persistently poor outcomes. Scores improve when providers resolve violations or demonstrate sustained improvement in IPEDS metrics.
Bottom line
San Diego State University's 787 score reflects strong accreditation and compliance standing with acceptable but modest student outcomes. An enrolled or prospective student should verify graduation and employment rates for their specific program before committing, and confirm that financial aid packaging aligns with independently published cost data.