The Southern Leyte State University-San Juan started as a secondary school in June 1946. It was named Southeastern Leyte Provincial High School. In 1953, the Provincial Government of Leyte stopped the financial support to the Southeastern Leyte Provincial High School, however, to prevent closure of the high school, the Cabalian Municipal Council assumed financial responsibility and renamed it Cabalian Municipal High School. On 17 June 1961, President Garcia signed into law Republic Act 3073 a bill sponsored by Representative Nicanor Yniguez converting the Cabalian High School into Cabalian National Vocational High School .On 19 June 1965, by virtue of Republic Act 4295, Cabalian National Vocational High School was again converted to San Juan Comprehensive High School (SJCHS). On June 24, 1983, a bill sponsored by Assemblyman Nicanor Yñiguez converting San Juan Comprehensive High School into San Juan Polytechnic College (SJPC) was signed into law – Batas Pambansa Blg. 569 by President Ferdinand E. Marcos.
The college started offering post-secondary courses in 1985. By virtue of Special Provision No. 2 of the Commission on Higher Education Fiscal Year 1999 Budget under Republic Act 8745 (General Appropriations Act of Fiscal Year 1999), and implemented under CHED MEMORANDUM ORDER No. 18, s. 1999 dated 01 June 1999, SJPC was integrated into the Southern Leyte State College of Science and Technology (SLSCST), Sogod as the host SUC. CHED MEMO Order No. 18, s. 1999 implementing guidelines on integration took effect on the First Semester of AY 1999 – 2000 but not later than 31 October 1999. SJPC was renamed SLSCST – SAN JUAN CAMPUS (SJPC). On 07 March 2004, Republic Act 9261 a bill sponsored by Congressman Anecito G Saludo, Jr establishing the Southern Leyte State University (SLSU) by integrating Southern Leyte State College of Science Technology and the Tomas Oppus Normal College lapsed into law and by virtue of this law and as approved by the Board of Regents, Southern Leyte State College of Science Technology – SAN JUAN CAMPUS (SJPC) is now called Southern Leyte State University – SAN JUAN.
