News Summary
San Diego State University anticipates a historic milestone for enrollment, projecting more than 40,000 students for the upcoming academic year. With the addition of new academic programs, including a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Human Responsibility, SDSU expects over 43,000 total students. Despite challenges with funding and an anticipated decline in high school graduates, the institution is enhancing its facilities and collaborating with local educational institutions for future growth.
San Diego – San Diego State University (SDSU) is anticipating a historic milestone as it prepares for the 2025-26 academic year, which starts on Monday, August 25. For the first time, the combined enrollment of SDSU and SDSU Imperial Valley is projected to exceed 40,000 students. This surge in enrollment is further enhanced by the inclusion of the SDSU Global Campus, which offers online degree and professional certificate programs, pushing the expected fall enrollment to surpass 43,000 students.
More than 6,600 first-year students are expected to join the university this fall, setting a new record that surpasses last year’s figure of 6,538. The incoming students were chosen from an impressive pool of over 95,000 first-time applicants among a total of more than 123,000 applicants to the university. However, official enrollment numbers will be confirmed later through the 2025 Fall Census, slated for October.
In line with its growth, SDSU is introducing new academic programs for the upcoming year. One notable offering is a Bachelor of Science in Artificial Intelligence and Human Responsibility, a pioneering program within the California State University system set to launch in fall 2026. With initial applications opening this fall, current students can also switch their majors to this new course later in the semester. Additionally, a Special Education minor is being introduced, targeting students pursuing teaching credentials as well as those studying social work, psychology, and speech-language pathology.
The California State University system, which includes SDSU and California State University San Marcos (CSUSM), is preparing for increased demand for educational services amid ongoing challenges arising from the COVID-19 pandemic. SDSU estimates enrollment could reach 40,500 this fall, solidifying its position as one of the largest universities in California. Plans are also in place for the student body to eventually grow to 50,000 in future years. CSUSM, meanwhile, anticipates about 15,300 enrolled students this fall, with aspirations to grow towards 20,000 in five years.
To accommodate this increasing enrollment, both institutions are moving forward with plans to enhance their facilities. SDSU is in the process of constructing additional housing intended for around 6,700 students and developing science centers tailored to support its enlarged student population. Initiatives are also underway to formulate new bachelor’s degree programs in South County to enhance educational access.
Challenges in funding have emerged for SDSU, as recent reports indicate a decline of nearly $29 million in government grants. In contrast, CSUSM has seen a modest increase of $1.7 million in funding. Notably, SDSU obtained a prestigious Research 1 classification earlier this year, aligning it with other elite institutions such as MIT and UC San Diego, which highlights its commitment to high-level research and education.
There are statewide concerns regarding future enrollment trends due to an anticipated decline in the number of high school graduates in California by 2033. Though SDSU has received a record-breaking number of applications for the upcoming semester, accepting around 38% of the total applications presents a challenge due to capacity limits. Strategies to enhance collaboration with local educational institutions are also in discussion, such as a proposed collaboration between SDSU and the San Diego Community College District to establish a 100,000-square-foot academic center focusing on STEM subjects at SDSU’s new Mission Valley campus.
SDSU is further progressing with the Evolve project, a planned student village aimed at adding 5,200 beds, which will increase the institution’s housing capacity to over 13,000. Similarly, CSUSM is enhancing its student housing plans with a vision to expand available housing up to 3,585 beds by the year 2027, alongside partnerships aimed at fostering residential development in proximity to the campus.
Both SDSU and CSUSM acknowledge the pressing need for increased student housing to support projected enrollment growth through the year 2030, as they position themselves to remain at the forefront of higher education in the state.
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Additional Resources
- CBS 8
- Wikipedia: San Diego State University
- San Diego Union-Tribune
- Google Search: San Diego State University enrollment
- Times of San Diego
- Google Scholar: San Diego State University
- Imperial Valley Press
- Encyclopedia Britannica: California State University
- Axios San Diego
- Google News: San Diego State University news
Author: Anaheim Staff Writer
Anaheim Staff Writer The Anaheim Staff Writer represents the experienced team at HEREAnaheim.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Anaheim, Orange 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 major conventions at the Anaheim Convention Center, including NAMM and VidCon, exciting games at Angel Stadium and Honda Center, and developments at Disneyland Resort Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Anaheim Chamber of Commerce and Visit Anaheim, plus leading businesses in hospitality, entertainment, and innovation that power the local economy As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECostaMesa.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERESantaAna.com, and HERELosAngeles.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Southern California's dynamic landscape.
