San Diego State achieves R1 status as a top research university
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SDSU is now an R1 school. Photo: San Diego State University
San Diego State University is now officially an "R1" school, solidifying its place among the top research universities in the country.
Why it matters: The new status, announced Thursday, is a prestigious distinction that will boost SDSU's reputation, the value of its degrees, faculty recruitment and research production.
The intrigue: SDSU becomes the only R1 school in the Cal State University system and joins the new list of 187 R1 institutions nationwide, including UC San Diego, Cal Tech and Stanford.
- It's one of 19 R1 colleges in the U.S. that are also Hispanic-serving institutions, according to SDSU.
Driving the news: The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching announced the list along with a new methodology that expanded the recognition.
- Universities must spend at least $50 million on research and award at least 70 doctoral research degrees annually to reach Research 1 status.
- SDSU says it has hit those benchmarks for at least the past 10 years.
Between the lines: Despite CSU's teaching-focused mission, SDSU has been pursuing this goal by elevating its research enterprise for years, particularly under President Adela de la Torre's leadership.
- SDSU grew its research funding by 64% over three years.
- It brought in a record $230 million in grants during 2023-24, a $38 million increase from the previous fiscal year.
Zoom in: Hundreds of SDSU faculty members conduct research projects addressing health disparities, cancer treatments, environmental issues, cybersecurity and other issues that influence policy and affect the local economy.
- With the R1 status, SDSU expects faculty to be able to secure more funding and students to have more research opportunities.
What we're watching: The Trump administration is making moves to cut federal health and science funding, which SDSU and other California institutions rely on for critical medical research.