San Jose State’s Parking Nightmare: Record Enrollment Fuels Commuter Frustration
San Jose State University students are facing an unprecedented daily challenge: finding a parking spot on campus. A historic 8% surge in enrollment for fall 2025 has created the highest single-term enrollment in SJSU history, turning the commute into a stressful battle for thousands.
The Growing Parking Crisis at SJSU
The problem isn’t new, but the current academic year has intensified a long-standing issue. With 44,000 people on campus and only 7,500 parking spots available, the numbers speak for themselves. Students, many of whom pay significant fees for parking permits, often find themselves circling structures for hours, wasting valuable time before classes even begin.
| Metric | Detail |
|---|---|
| Campus Population | 44,000 people |
| Available Parking Spots | 7,500 spots |
| Semester Permit Cost | $220 |
| Academic Year Permit Cost | $440 |
Students Share Their Daily Struggles
The frustration is palpable among students. Graduate student Oscar Caldera, who now tries to find street parking, noted, “Parking has always been bad but this… this year it’s been worse. It’s not worth the hassle.” Many students echo this sentiment, feeling ripped off by permits that don’t guarantee a spot.
Second-year business major Isaac Cervantes calls finding parking “the hardest part of my day.” He pays $400 a year for a spot he isn’t guaranteed and even experienced his car being keyed after a parking dispute. Andrea Alonzo, an English major, leaves her house hours early, arriving at 7 a.m. for a 10 a.m. class just to secure a space.
The issue has even gone viral on TikTok, with students sharing videos documenting their experiences, from timing parking hunts to turning their cars into temporary bedrooms. Fourth-year student Carla Sparza, who commutes twice a week, pays $24 a week for parking and another $40 for gas. She relies on the university’s parking percentage webpage, which often shows lots 70% full by 8 a.m., forcing her to park on the highest floors despite early arrival.
Limited Solutions and Unanswered Questions
SJSU currently offers three multi-story parking structures on campus and one a mile away near CEFCU Stadium, with shuttle services available until 6 p.m. However, as Andrea Alonzo discovered, this limited shuttle schedule can leave students stranded if their classes or campus activities extend into the evening. First-year theater major Cate Fuller, whose workday often stretches from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m., highlights the exhausting nature of these long days for commuters.
Despite the widespread complaints and visible evidence of the parking crisis, neither SJSU police nor campus administration have responded to requests for comment regarding the situation. The university continues to issue parking permits and posts warnings on its website and facilities that “parking is limited,” but no concrete solutions or fixes have been announced.
What’s Next for SJSU Commuters?
As San Jose State continues to operate as a “commuter school,” students like Cate Fuller feel it “should be more accommodating to people that commute.” With no immediate fixes on the horizon, students are left feeling helpless, enduring the stress and exhaustion of a daily parking battle. The hope for improvements remains, but for now, it’s a waiting game for those simply trying to get to class.
Frequently Asked Questions About SJSU Parking
- Why is parking so difficult at SJSU?
The difficulty stems from a significant increase in student enrollment (8% for fall 2025), leading to 44,000 people on campus vying for only 7,500 available parking spots. - How many parking spaces does SJSU have?
San Jose State University has 7,500 parking spots for a campus population of 44,000 people. - What are the costs for parking permits at SJSU?
A semester parking pass costs $220, while an academic year pass costs $440. - What are students doing to cope with the parking shortage?
Students are employing strategies like arriving hours before class, seeking street parking, and using the university’s parking percentage webpage to find less full lots. Many also express their frustration online, particularly on TikTok. - Has SJSU announced any plans to fix the parking problem?
As of now, SJSU has not announced any specific fixes or solutions for the ongoing parking shortage, despite student complaints.
For San Jose State students, navigating the campus means more than just academic challenges; it includes the daily struggle for a parking spot, a burden that adds stress and expense to their educational journey.
SJSU parking crisis record enrollment
