“The CSU is one of the state’s most powerful engines of economic mobility, opportunity, and innovation—and Cal Poly Humboldt plays a vital role in that impact here on the North Coast,” said Interim President Michael Spagna. “This report highlights the collective contribution the CSU campuses have in keeping California’s economy strong and thriving across every region of the state.”
The report, Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU, highlights the lasting return on investment for the people of California at every level:
- Economic Return: For every dollar the state invested in the CSU, $7.69 in statewide industry activity was generated, increasing to $35.53 when alumni earnings across California are included.
- Meanwhile, for every dollar the state invested in Cal Poly Humboldt, $7.49 in statewide industry activity was generated, increasing to $21.04 when alumni earnings are included.
- Statewide Impact: The CSU supported 210,800 jobs across California, generating an overall impact of $31.6 billion.
- Regional Reach: As part of the North Coast region, Cal Poly Humboldt helped generate substantial economic impact across the area, supporting 6,600 jobs and $717.8 million in industry activity, underscoring the campus’s vital role in regional economic vitality.
- Workforce Power: Nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees in California are awarded by the CSU in disciplines directly tied to California’s evolving workforce needs, such as healthcare in the North Coast, ensuring students are trained for in-demand jobs in their communities, and supporting local economies.
- Research Impact: CSU research initiatives tackle some of California’s most urgent challenges, from renewable energy to seismic technology, while delivering globally cited science.
Learn more about our Economic Impact Report and Cal Poly Humboldt’s impact at humboldt.edu/about/impact
About Cal Poly Humboldt
Cal Poly Humboldt is Northern California’s first polytechnic university and one of three polytechnic universities in the California State University system. Dedicated to hands-on learning, applied research, and social and environmental stewardship, the University’s unique environment serves as a living laboratory for innovation in sustainability, climate resiliency, renewable energy, natural resources, and more. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across three colleges: Natural Resources & Sciences, Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Professional Studies.
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 450,000 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.
* Transition to 22 universities in progress (Cal Poly and Cal Maritime integrating). The integration process is anticipated to be complete by fall 2026.