Across the San Joaquin Valley, California State University campuses – CVHEC members Stanislaus State, Fresno State and CSU Bakersfield – collectively generated $2.6 billion in regional industry activity and supported 25,300 jobs in 2023-24, according to a CSU report: the 2025 Economic Impact Study released recently. Throughout its history, the largest pubic university system in the nation has had a wide-reaching and powerful impact on the culture and economy of California and its people. The 2025 report provides a refreshed understanding of the university system’s contributions to the state, including the CSU’s impact on the  workforce and the CSU’s research activities woven into nearly every aspect of the state’s well-being — driving economic growth, fueling innovation and serving communities.

Report: the CSU fuels nearly every aspect
of California’s growing economy

From strengthening California’s workforce to contributing billions
in statewide industry activity, the CSU’s massive economic impact is undeniable

(JAN. 14, 2026) — The California State University (CSU) released its 2025 economic impact report, underscoring the system’s broad contributions to fueling nearly every aspect of California’s economy including three CVHEC members: CSU Bakersfield, Fresno State and Stanislaus State.

The report, Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU, details the role the CSU plays in strengthening the state’s key industries and preparing a skilled workforce essential to driving economic vitality. Released Nov. 18, 2025, the report finds that in 2023–24 alone, CSU-related spending contributed more than $20 billion directly to California’s economy, generating $31.6 billion in statewide industry activity, supporting 210,800 jobs, and producing $2.3 billion in state and local tax revenue.

“This comprehensive report clearly demonstrates that resources entrusted to the CSU should not be considered an expenditure, but rather an investment—and an investment with a powerful and tangible return,” said CSU Chancellor Mildred García. “Importantly, the report measures not only dollars, jobs and industry activity, but also the CSU’s impact on our students’ lives and families, our contributions as a research powerhouse, and the countless benefits our universities deliver to our workforce, to communities across California, and to our nation.”

“Education opens doors—and there is no greater or more prestigious educational system than California’s public universities,” said Governor Gavin Newsom. “These schools are a lifeline for first-generation and working-class students and channel vital talent straight into our workforce. From classrooms to clinics, fields to film sets, CSU graduates power the services, industries, and innovation that make California dominate and thrive.”

“From classroom to career, CSU graduates are powering California’s workforce,” said Stewart Knox, secretary of the California Labor & Workforce Development Agency. “Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in our state come from the CSU—​preparing talent that meets California’s evolving workforce needs in every region and major industry.”

A Strong Return on Investment for California​

For every dollar California invests in the CSU, the system generates $7.69 in statewide industry activity, which increases to $35.53 when factoring in alumni earnings, the report finds. CSU alumni, whose incremental earnings totaled $97.8 billion in 2024, create a ripple effect across industries and communities statewide.

Beyond the financial return, CSU’s role in educating more than half a million students delivers transformative social value by expanding access to higher education and accelerating upward mobility for the nearly 125,000 graduates who walk the commencement stage every year prepared to contribute and lead in their fields.

Powering California’s Workforce and Key Industries

As the producer of nearly half of California’s bachelor’s degrees, the CSU is providing the diverse, educated and skilled professionals required to meet workforce needs in the state’s top in-demand industries. Specifically, within the education and health services and professional and business services sectors, which together account for more than 1 million projected job openings by 2033, the CSU is producing over half of related bachelor’s degrees. CSU’s engineering and construction program also provides more than half of the state’s general engineering graduates, which supports infrastructure growth.

In the 2023-24 academic year, CSU campuses conferred:

• 29,000 degrees in health care (representing 46% of such degrees awarded in the state)
• 23,000 degrees in business and professional services (48%)
• 14,000 degrees in humanities and social sciences (56%)

The CSU also produces:

• 78% of the state’s agriculture graduates
• 46% of graduates in public policy and criminal justice
• 49% of graduates in media, culture and design
• 37% of new multiple subject credentialed teachers

Regional Impact: Strengthening Communities Across California

Each of the CSU’s 22 universities serve as anchor institutions, fueling job creation, innovation, and opportunity in their local community. The Economic Impact Report highlights significant regional benefits:

• Bay Area: $4.8 billion in industry activity and 31,000 jobs supported.
• Central Coast: $3 billion in industry activity and 31,500 jobs supported.
• Inland Empire: $1 billion in industry activity and 9,218 jobs supported.
• Los Angeles: $10 billion in industry activity and 74,900 jobs supported
• North Coast: $718 million in industry activity and 6,598 jobs supported.
• Sacramento Valley: $2.8 billion in industry activity and 24,613 jobs supported.
• San Diego: $3.9 billion in industry activity and 32,760 jobs supported.
• San Joaquin Valley: $2.6 billion in industry activit y and 25,300 jobs supported.

These impacts demonstrate how the CSU powers California’s regional economies, ensuring that every corner of the state benefits from higher education, innovation, and workforce development.

See:

CSU 2025 ECONOMIC IMPACT REPORT: Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU

CSU NEWS RELEASE: The CSU fuels nearly every aspect of California’s growing economy
MEDIA CONTACT: CSU Media Relations and Public Affairs
(562) 951-4800

Cal State Bakersfield’s economic impact reaches nearly $500 million regionally
MEDIA CONTACT: Jennifer Self

Fresno State helps contribute to the billions of dollars in annual economic activity and tax revenue statewide – fueling regional impact
MEDIA CONTACT: Lisa Bell

Stan State helps power Valley prosperity
MEDIA CONTACT: Rosalee Rush

About the California State University

The California State University is the nation’s largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 460,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds. More than half of CSU students are from traditionally underrepresented backgrounds, and more than one-quarter of undergraduates are first-generation college students. Because the CSU’s 22 universities* provide a high-quality education at an incredible value, they are rated among the best in the nation for promoting social mobility in national college rankings from U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Washington Monthly. The CSU powers California and the nation, sending nearly 125,000 career-ready graduates into the workforce each year. In fact, one in every 20 Americans holding a college degree earned it at the CSU. Connect with and learn more about the CSU in the CSU newsroom.

*NOTE: Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly SLO and Cal Maritime integrating). The integration process is anticipated to be complete by fall 2026.​