San Diego

San Diego State University | CSU San Marcos

The San Diego region is comprised of Imperial and San Diego counties and includes two CSU campuses: San Diego State University and CSU San Marcos. Together, those campuses had a direct spend of over $2.6 billion in 2023-24.

$1.1
BILLION

on operational
expenditures

$238.4
MILLION

on capital expenditures (four-year average)¹

$467
MILLION

on auxiliary
expenditures

$829.9
MILLION

on student
spending

Regional impact: CSU campuses in the San Diego region generated a substantial economic impact across the region, supporting a total of 32,760 jobs and contributing $1.6 billion in labor income, $3.9 billion in industry activity and $291 million in tax revenues, underscoring the campuses’ vital role in regional economic vitality.

When San Diego region CSU alumni spend their incremental earnings in the statewide economy an estimated 42,200 jobs, $3.1 billion in labor income, $8.9 billion in industry activity and a remarkable $700 million in tax revenue is created each year.

For every 
            $1 the state invested in San Diego region campuses, 
            $13.60 was generated in statewide industry activity, increasing to 
            $42.56 when including alumni earnings from these region campuses.

Input	Employment	Labor Income	Industry Activity	Tax Impact
Operational Expenditures	18,900	$911M	$2,010M	$128M
Capital Expenditures	2,600	$188M	$399M	$22M
Auxiliary	4,600	$226M	$686M	$55M
Student Spending	6,700	$231M	$814M	$86M
Total	32,800	$1,555M	$3,909M	$291M

¹ The CSU’s calculated four-year average (2021 to 2024) for campus capital expenditures is used because expenditures vary year to year.

San Diego

For every $1 the state invested in San Diego region campuses, $13.60 was generated in statewide industry activity, increasing to $42.56 when including alumni earnings from these region campuses.