News Summary
San Diego State University is preparing for a significant increase in enrollment, expecting around 40,500 students this fall, with a target of 50,000 in the future. California State University San Marcos also aims for growth, predicting 15,300 students this fall and aiming for 20,000 in five years. Both institutions are expanding housing and academic offerings to accommodate their increasing student populations, while also tackling funding challenges and evolving student needs in California’s higher education landscape.
San Diego – San Diego State University (SDSU) is preparing for an unprecedented fall enrollment of approximately 40,500 students, with aspirations to increase that figure to 50,000 in the future. In parallel, California State University San Marcos (CSUSM) anticipates welcoming about 15,300 students this fall, with a goal of reaching 20,000 enrollment over the next five years. Both institutions are actively constructing additional housing for around 6,700 students and developing large science centers designed to accommodate their expanding student populations.
SDSU, which received the prestigious designation of a Research 1 institution in April, aligning it with elite universities such as MIT and UC San Diego, witnessed a remarkable surge in applications. A record-breaking 123,000 applications were submitted for the fall semester, yet only 38% were accepted due to constraints in classroom space and housing availability.
Despite anticipating growth, SDSU also faces challenges, having suffered a $29 million drop in federal grants largely due to cuts in research funding initiated by the Trump administration. Conversely, CSUSM has seen an increase in government funding by $1.7 million, reflecting different funding trajectories within California’s university system.
Enrollment trends across California community colleges have faced downturns since 2018, worsened by the COVID-19 pandemic, though many California State University campuses are demonstrating signs of recovery. In contrast to the growth at SDSU and CSUSM, San Francisco State University has experienced a decline of 4,718 students since 2020, highlighting varying trends among universities in the state.
Looming over these trends is the projected decline in the number of high school graduates in California by 2033, which may significantly affect future college enrollments. In anticipation of future demand and workforce needs, SDSU is also undertaking a substantial initiative called Evolve, a $1 billion construction project aimed at addressing a critical student housing shortage by adding 5,200 beds on campus.
CSUSM is similarly addressing housing needs, planning to boost its residence capacity from 2,100 students this fall to 3,585 by late 2027 in collaboration with Sea Breeze Properties. This is in line with both universities’ aims to provide adequate living arrangements as they grow their student bodies.
To further enhance their educational offerings, SDSU is introducing new academic programs this fall, including a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Human Responsibility, and a minor in Special Education. Additionally, SDSU’s Imperial Valley campus is currently experiencing growth, welcoming 371 new students and launching programs in electrical engineering and chemistry.
A significant development is underway with the San Diego Community College District planning to construct a 100,000-square-foot academic center on SDSU’s new Mission Valley campus. This facility will focus on STEM learning, with the goal of creating pathways for community college students to transition into SDSU, bolstering collaboration and educational continuity between institutions.
Finally, the new state-of-the-art Sciences and Engineering Laboratories in Brawley will bolster STEM education in alignment with the growing “Lithium Valley” industry, showcasing the universities’ commitment to not only growing enrollment numbers but also preparing students for the future workforce needs.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
SDSU Welcomes Record Student Enrollment for 2025-26
SDSU Celebrates Achievements Amidst Higher Education Challenges
SDSU Imperial Valley Welcomes Surge in Enrollment
San Diego Universities Prepare for Surge in Enrollment
Father Detained by ICE Near Elementary School Sparks Outrage
Surge in F-1 Visa Revocations Shocks International Students
San Diego State University Freezes Hiring Amid Budget Cuts
Additional Resources
- CBS 8
- Wikipedia: San Diego State University
- San Diego Union Tribune
- Google Search: San Diego State University
- Times of San Diego
- Google Scholar: San Diego State University
- Imperial Valley Press
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California State University
- Axios
- Google News: CSU San Marcos
Author: STAFF HERE SAN DIEGO WRITER
SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
