The California State University (CSU) has published its latest Economic Impact Report, “Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU,” which outlines the significant effect of its 22 campuses, including Stanislaus State, on California’s economy and workforce.
According to the report, the CSU system generated $31.6 billion in statewide industry activity and supported 210,800 jobs across California during the 2023-24 academic year. The analysis shows that for every dollar invested by the state in CSU, $7.69 was returned in economic activity statewide. This figure increases to $35.53 when considering the earnings of CSU alumni.
In the San Joaquin Valley region, which includes Stanislaus State, CSU campuses together generated $2.6 billion in industry activity and supported 25,300 jobs during the same period.
The report highlights that Stanislaus State-related activities directly supported 5,900 jobs and contributed $235.4 million in wages across the San Joaquin Valley. The university’s total economic impact reached $600.7 million in industry activity and added $50.2 million in state and local tax revenue to the region. When accounting for alumni earnings, each dollar invested by the state in Stanislaus State generated $27.12 in statewide industry activity.
Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis commented on these findings: “This latest report reaffirms what we live and breathe every day — that public higher education is not only a powerful pathway for personal and generational transformation, but also a vital engine for economic prosperity, workforce readiness and community well-being,” Rios-Ellis said. “Warriors — including our faculty, staff, students and alumni — are driving meaningful growth right here in the Valley. From classrooms to clinics to boardrooms, the impact of Warrior leadership is undeniable. When we invest in higher education and our students, we uplift entire communities. That is the promise and power of the CSU, and that is the heartbeat of Stan State.”
Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees awarded in California come from CSU campuses; many graduates enter fields such as education, healthcare, and agriculture—sectors important to both regional economies like that of San Joaquin Valley and to California as a whole.
Faculty at Stanislaus State lead research projects focused on local challenges such as sustainable biotechnology development, improving educational access, and promoting community health.
A recent example cited by the university involves Martin Zavala ’24 (business administration), who leveraged connections made at Stanislaus State’s annual “Meet the Firms Night” event into a career with Ernst & Young. He now returns to this event as a professional.
“At Stanislaus State, we know that when the University thrives, the Central Valley thrives,” Rios-Ellis said.
Further details about “Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU” are available through official channels.
