A new report reveals how the California State University (CSU) system and CSUN power regional prosperity —fueling jobs, innovation and long-term economic growth across the state.
The CSU report, “Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU,” introduced at the Nov. 18 CSU Board of Trustees meeting, examines economic and student impacts, industry and societal impacts for the university system as a whole, and how each university contributes to its region and the state.
Key findings:
- CSUN alumni have higher median income, which boosts California in big ways. Their degrees add $7.7 billion in earnings and help power 41, 600 jobs, $8.6 billion in economic activity, $3 billion in wages and more than $686 million in tax revenue.
- Within the Los Angeles region, CSUN-related activity generated a substantial economic impact, supporting 13,500 jobs and contributing nearly $800 million in wages earned.
- The vast majority of CSU graduates remain in California, demonstrating that the state’s investment in higher education directly strengthens its workforce and economy.
- Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees in California are awarded by California State Universities in disciplines directly tied to the state’s evolving workforce needs.
- For every dollar California invests in the CSU, $7.69 flows back to the economy. That jumps to $35.53 when you include the earning power of CSU graduates.
- For every dollar invested in the CSUN campus, $6.19 was generated in statewide industry activity, increasing to $34.40 when including alumni earnings.
- During the 2023-2024 academic year, the CSU supported a total of 210,800 jobs across California, contributing $13.5 billion in labor income across the state.
- CSU campuses in the Los Angeles area generated a substantial economic impact across the region, supporting a total of nearly 75,000 jobs and contributing more than $4 billion in labor income.
The report follows the recently announced Systemwide Strategic Plan, that will drive deliberate actions over the next three years to strengthen the CSU as a premier engine for economic mobility. Efforts will include enhancing affordability for students and mobilizing the CSU’s massive alumni network to actively support students’ career advancement.
With 22 campuses and more than 4.3 million alumni, the CSU is the nation’s largest four-year public university system, providing transformational opportunities for upward mobility to more than 450,000 students from all socioeconomic backgrounds.
CSUN, located in the heart of Los Angeles’ San Fernando Valley, is known for its vibrant, diverse student population and strong academic programs. CSUN is home to nine colleges and offers more than 150 undergraduate majors and programs.
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