UC San Diego’s population is projected to grow to 96,300 students and employees by 2040, according to new projections.
The growth is essential to keep up with demand for UCSD’s resources in education and healthcare, according to a March 20 public presentation at a scoping meeting to update the university’s 2018 Long Range Development Plan.
The LRDP is a UC-wide requirement of each campus to plan physical land use and future development.
An updated LRDP is needed as UCSD has experienced higher rates of population growth than anticipated, the presentation stated, with enrollment increased by 30 percent.
In fall 2023, UCSD recorded 43,381 students and 39,688 employees.
The 2018 LRDP projected that by 2035, UCSD would see 65,600 students, staff and faculty on campus.
The increase to 96,300 by 2040 will continue to be supported by the goals outlined in the 2018 LRDP, including growth in campus activity to facilitate a “living and learning” environment; create more beds on campus to house about 65 percent of students; and minimize the impacts of the growth through sustainable development practices.
The population projections will require a 30 percent increase in building gross square feet on campus, the presentation stated.
This expansion will allow UCSD to offer a four-year housing guarantee to all who choose to live on campus, a change from its current ability to offer only a two-year guarantee to about half its students.
