The tentative budget is based on the most recent assumptions in the state’s final budget, which the Legislature must adopt by June 15 and the Governor must sign into law by June 30. Unrestricted General Fund spending – at a projected $402.3 million – is up modestly from $385.5 million from the current fiscal year. Overall, the spending plan is about $197 million less than last year’s budget, the decline in the total budget reflects the spending down of the $850 million of Measure HH bond funds issued in 2025. Those funds are now being used for new construction, campus infrastructure enhancements, and safety upgrades, across the district and its four colleges.
Most of the budget’s unrestricted general fund – more than $350 million – comes through California's Student Centered Funding Formula, which determines state support for community college districts. Rather than relying solely on a flat, per-student allocation, the formula distributes operating funds from Sacramento based on three weighted components: a three-year rolling average of full-time equivalent students; the number of lower-income students receiving financial aid; and student outcomes. The amount earmarked for the coming fiscal year marks an increase of 4.4% from last year.
The tentative budget informs planning for the upcoming academic year at San Diego City, Mesa, Miramar, and Continuing Education colleges. It was developed through a collaborative process involving the district’s Board of Trustees, Chancellor Smith and the Chancellor’s Cabinet, the District Budget Planning and Development Council, the District Governance Council, and other individuals and groups representing faculty, classified professionals, and student leadership at the district and college levels.
This budget reflects the incredible work of our faculty, classified professionals, and administrative leaders to consistently increase enrollment and student success outcomes over the past four years,” said SDCCD Chancellor Gregory Smith. “While the state has not fully funded our colleges’ enrollment growth over the last three years, we have continued to balance serving our communities effectively with prudent investments in our fiscal resilience."
The San Diego Community College District’s economic impact in San Diego County reached $5.3 billion in 2024-25. Students at the district’s four colleges will see annual earnings that are, on average, $10,200 higher than a person with just a high school diploma or equivalent working in California.