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San Diego State University Imperial Valley is set to welcome 371 newly enrolled students for the 2025–26 academic year beginning Monday, Aug. 25. Official enrollment numbers will be confirmed in October following the completion of the 2025 Fall Census.
This year marks a milestone for SDSU, as combined enrollment across the SDSU system, including SDSU Imperial Valley, is expected to exceed 40,000 students for the first time in the university’s history.
In August, SDSU Imperial Valley celebrated the opening of its much-anticipated Sciences and Engineering Laboratories in Brawley with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. The new facility features state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms designed to meet the growing demands of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education. It also supports the region’s emerging geothermal and lithium energy industries, collectively branded as “Lithium Valley,” which are expected to play a key role in the Imperial Valley’s economic development.
The opening of the facility coincides with the university’s launch of two new undergraduate programs in electrical engineering and chemistry. Prospective first-year and transfer students can apply for these programs beginning this fall for admission in fall 2026. In addition, students enrolled in public health and nursing programs will begin using the facility in spring 2026 for chemistry and biology courses, providing hands-on laboratory experience that complements their coursework.
SDSU Imperial Valley’s expansion is part of the university system’s broader mission to provide high-quality education and research opportunities across California. The campus offers a range of academic and professional programs aimed at meeting regional workforce needs while contributing to the state’s innovation and research capacity.
San Diego State University is a major public research institution and a Carnegie R1-designated university, serving more than 40,000 students. The university offers 97 bachelor’s degrees, 88 master’s programs, and 29 doctoral programs. SDSU consistently ranks as the top California State University in federal research support and as one of the leading public research universities in the state.
With the addition of the new laboratories and academic programs, SDSU Imperial Valley continues to strengthen its role as a hub for STEM education and workforce development, supporting both the academic aspirations of its students and the economic growth of the region.