Study and Report Demonstrates Stan State’s Significant Impact on Local, Regional Economy

California State University, Stanislaus creates value in various ways — by drawing students to the region; helping them increase their employable skills and achieve their individual potential; facilitating new research developments; and generating new dollars and opportunities for the region.

The University influences both the lives of its students and the regional economy, bolstering a variety of industries in the Central Valley. The benefits extend to society as a whole in California from an expanded economy and improved quality of life.

A  new economic impact study  and report confirms the significance of Stanislaus State’s contributions to the Central Valley, including a return of $14.50 in positive economic activity to the State of California for every dollar invested in the campus. The study uses a two-part approach of an economic impact analysis and an investment analysis to determine the benefits to students, taxpayers and society.

Read the report

Using data from fiscal year 2021-22, the report shows Stan State’s regional economic impact on its six-county service region that includes Stanislaus, San Joaquin, Merced, Calaveras, Tuolumne and Mariposa counties.

Among the findings, Stan State’s total economic impact was $770.5 million — generated by operations spending, research spending, student spending, volunteerism and alumni impact. Expressed in terms of jobs, Stan State’s impact supported 9,068 jobs in the six-county region.

For every $1...

“This study clearly demonstrates the compelling impact Stanislaus State has made in several areas by contributing millions of dollars to our city, counties and the region,” said Stanislaus State President Ellen Junn. “The data from this report can serve as an important tool in recruiting students, as it also shows how the campus has played a role in their upward mobility and demonstrates the University’s contributions to the economic vitality of the Central Valley.”

An important economic driver in the region, it is a familiar experience to encounter Stan State alumni working in a myriad of industries in the Central Valley. With more than 60,000 alumni, a significant portion of Stan State’s economic impact stems from the added human capital — the knowledge, creativity, imagination and entrepreneurship — our graduates bring to the workforce.

As a result of their education from Stan State, graduates receive higher earnings and increase the productivity of the businesses that employ them. In FY 2021-22, Stan State alumni generated $529.4 million in added income for the regional economy, which is equivalent to supporting 6,979 jobs.

The economic impact for students is demonstrated in the significant return on investment they attain through their pursuit of education. In return for their investment, Stan State’s students will receive a stream of higher future earnings that will continue to grow throughout their working lives. The study found that for every dollar Stan State students invest in their education, they will receive $12.10 in higher future earnings.

This upward economic mobility achieved by Stan State students is being recognized, with the University being recently named one of the Top 10 colleges in California by MONEY magazine and ranking No. 4 in the West for social mobility according to U.S. News & World Report.

Stan State partnered with Lightcast, a global leader in labor market analytics to conduct the study.