Spartan Pride Points

What happens in Silicon Valley changes the world — and SJSU is the university changing Silicon Valley. Discover the ways Spartans are impacting the campus and beyond.

Economic and social impact to the city, region and state

SJSU community members on campus and a view of the city of San Jose.

  • According to Gusto, the city of San José has the highest rate of new graduate hiring in the country, and is the only city where new graduates can expect to earn $100,000 or more. San José State University is the biggest supplier of new graduates seeking employment in San José and Silicon Valley.
  • Every $1 in state funding helps SJSU generate roughly $24.00 in economic output and $9.20 in labor income throughout California.
  • SJSU-related spending supports over 25,460 jobs, generates roughly $1.6 billion in labor income, and produces over $4.1 billion in total economic output.

Visit SJSU's Economic and Social Impact Report website to learn more.

Major contributor to research in the Silicon Valley and beyond

SJSU researchers are gathered around a table while discussing work.

  • Emphasis on experiential research - students can engage in research as early as their first year.
    • Not just “cleaning beakers” - students are collecting data, going on research expeditions with faculty, experiencing research as it is happening.
  • SJSU’s annual research expenditures is over $60 million. 
  • Per the National Science Foundation (NSF) 2021 annual Higher Education Research and Development Survey:
    • 1st in NASA Psychology with 96.6% of all NASA Psychology funding
    • 10th in Psychology research nationwide
    • 26th among Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), including:
      • 2nd in Psychology
      • 6th in Geosciences
      • 6th in atmospheric sciences & ocean sciences
  • Partnership with NASA Ames for research on human factors and how humans interact with technology

Fire weather crew monitoring a fire.

  • Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center (WIRC) is the only National Science Foundation Industry-University Cooperative Research Center on wildfire in the country, with faculty from meteorology and climate science, environmental studies, engineering, political science, ecology, anthropology, economics, urban and regional planning, and computer science.

A view of MLML and of a professor and students working with marine life.

  • Moss Landing Marine Laboratories (MLML) is funded by SJSU
    • The mission of MLML is to provision the marine scientists of the future  
    • Undergraduate and graduate students are provided with unparalleled access to faculty advisors and teachers, research facilities, and an incredible local marine environment.

Launch of SpartUp in September 2022

Students throwing paper airplanes during the first SpartUp event.

  • Engaging startup and entrepreneurship activity by leveraging resources in Silicon Valley and beyond to create a unique entrepreneurial experience and an engine for economic growth.
  • Bridge the gap between SJSU-affiliated companies and the resources they need to start and build successful companies. 
  • SJSU hosts Silicon Valley Small Business Development Center, which focuses on supporting innovation and expanding Santa Clara County small businesses that are involved with the creation, development, or launch of products or services.
  • The SpartUp Incubator is a collaborative ecosystem that provides a web of support for the Spartan Entrepreneur, our Spartaneur, along the startup journey—from idea, through prototype, to planning and fundraising.

Successful launch of SJSU Online in August 2022

A student studying on their computer at home.

  • First cohort began classes in January 2023.
  • Serving nearly 200 students who did not complete their college degrees and have come back to complete Bachelor’s with a 100 percent online curriculum. 
  • Additional programs to be added in 2023-24 Academic Year.

Opening of the Interdisciplinary Science Building in Summer 2023

Rendering of the ISB building on campus.

  • First new academic building in more than 40 years.
  • Eight-floor building will reinforce the opportunities for students to work alongside our faculty conducting research especially as we move towards R2 status (high level of research activity).

Addressing housing for campus community

  • Alquist Redevelopment project was approved by the California State University Board of Trustees in January 2023.
    • Workforce housing option for faculty, staff and graduate students a block from campus — will help revitalize Downtown San José 
    • Approximately 500 units for Spartans, 500 units for community at market rate

Rendering of Campus Village 3.

  • Campus Village 3 (CV3) will be reviewed by the California State University Board of Trustees later this year
    • Student on-campus housing project will provide over 1,000 new student beds
    • Effort also includes adding more than 500 affordable student beds 
    • CSU Chancellor's Office has advanced the CV3 project as one of only three projects for funding consideration.

Student Basic Needs

  • Through SJSU Cares, we are taking care of our students’ basic needs — emergency housing, health care and wellness, food support.
    • Our Spartan Food Pantry will celebrate its four-year anniversary, which to date has served approximately 87,000 students.