The California State University (CSU) has released its latest Economic Impact Report, Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU, revealing the transformative influence of the CSU and its 22 campuses — including Stanislaus State — on California’s economy, workforce and communities.
The report underscores the CSU’s role as one of the state’s most powerful engines of economic mobility, opportunity and innovation, contributing billions annually to the state’s economy while preparing the skilled professionals who drive its industries forward.
“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,” said Stanislaus State President Britt Rios-Ellis. “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.”
Economic Power Across the State
Systemwide, the CSU generated $31.6 billion in statewide industry activity and supported 210,800 jobs across California during the 2023-24 academic year. For every dollar the state invested in the CSU, $7.69 was returned in statewide economic activity — rising to $35.53 when factoring in the earning power of CSU alumni.
Regional Reach in the San Joaquin Valley
Within the San Joaquin Valley region, which includes Stanislaus State, CSU campuses collectively generated $2.6 billion in industry activity and supported 25,300 jobs, underscoring their essential role in driving regional growth.
Stanislaus State’s Local Impact
The CSU report highlights that Stanislaus State-related activity supported 5,900 jobs and contributed $235.4 million in wages earned across the San Joaquin Valley. The University’s overall economic impact in the region reached $600.7 million in industry activity and $50.2 million in state and local tax revenue.
For every dollar invested in Stan State by the state, $5.80 was generated in statewide industry activity, increasing to $27.12 when alumni earnings are incorporated. Statewide, Stan State-related activity supported 6,200 jobs and contributed $686.9 million to the California economy.
Workforce and Research Impact
Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees in California are awarded by CSU campuses, many in disciplines vital to the state’s workforce — such as education, healthcare and agriculture — fields that are central to the San Joaquin Valley’s economic future.
Stanislaus State also contributes to the CSU’s growing research enterprise, with faculty-led projects addressing pressing regional challenges such as sustainable biotechnology, expanding access to education and community health. These applied research efforts exemplify the University’s commitment to innovation that benefits both local communities and the broader state.
That commitment to impact is reflected in alumni like Martin Zavala ’24, business administration, whose experience at the University’s annual “Meet the Firms Night” event helped him build the connections and confidence that led to a career with Ernst & Young, one of the world’s Big Four accounting firms. Returning to the event as a young professional underscores how Stan State translates academic and co-curricular experiences into competitive careers while strengthening employer partnerships and expanding the talent pathway for Central Valley students.
Driving California Forward
The CSU’s Economic Impact Report reaffirms what many in the region already know — Stanislaus State is not only a catalyst for personal transformation but also a cornerstone of regional prosperity, advancing the Central Valley’s continued growth and vitality.
“At Stanislaus State, we know that when the University thrives, the Central Valley thrives,” Rios-Ellis said.
Learn more about Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU and explore Stanislaus State’s full economic impact.
