The CRE Potential From SD’s Lead in STEM Degrees

Schoneman: “As the number of STEM graduates in San Diego is forecasted to remain strong, look for this to be a driving force behind continued growth within the life-science and tech sectors.”

SAN DIEGO—One example of how San Diego’s highly educated workforce is impacting the local real estate market is through the continued growth of large pharmaceutical and biotech companies in the region, JLL SVP Grant Schoneman tells GlobeSt.com. According to recent research from the firm, San Diego is a leader in STEM degrees in Southern California, producing nearly 5,000 degrees last year majoring in science, technology, engineering and mathematics and 14.3% of the region holding a graduate degree, a greater share of the adult population than anywhere else in Southern California.

In addition, UC San Diego was recently ranked 15^th-best university in the world by the Academic Ranking of World Universities. Also, San Diego has seen 36.5% growth in employment among biotechnology and technology companies in the last 10 years and is home to a well-educated workforce appealing to numerous tech and biotech firms. Top companies include Qualcomm, ViaSat, Mitchell International, General Atomics, Sanford-Burnham, Illumina, Pfizer and Salk Institute. ​