The study - titled Working for California: The Impact of the California State University System - also says that HSU’s various activities generate more than $10.5 million in local tax and $25.2 million in state tax revenue.
The study was conducted by ICF International, and is based on 2008 data for operational, capital, auxiliary and student expenditures. It describes the economic impact of CSU campuses on eight different regions throughout California, as well as their technological, social and environmental contributions.
It underscores the idea that the state’s dynamic, knowledge-based economy can be directly tied to the investment in world-class public higher education.
As a whole, the study says, the CSU system generates more than $17 billion in economic activity statewide and supports more than 150,000 jobs. CSU-related expenditures create a return of $5.43 for every $1 invested by the state.
"Access to college is the key to better jobs, higher wages and a brighter future," said CSU Chancellor Charles B. Reed. "We know that students educated at our university not only improve their own condition but that of their families and the community around them."
On an annual basis, the study says, CSU campuses confer 71,000 bachelor’s degrees, nearly half of all bachelor’s degrees awarded by the state’s public and private universities. In business, 54 percent of undergraduate degrees granted in California are from the CSU. In agriculture, it is 62 percent and in engineering it is 45 percent. Fully 52 percent of new teaching credentials in the state are granted by the CSU.
Further, CSU students and alumni reflect the growing diversity of the state. About half of all bachelor’s degrees earned by African-Americans and Latinos in California are conferred by the CSU.
The study also highlights particularly strong and innovative programs at the various campuses.
For HSU, the study cites excellent programs in natural resources and sciences, which make it one of the top 50 public universities in the nation for sending students on to earn doctorates in science-related fields. It mentions a number of HSU efforts related to sustainability, programs with a focus on Native American students, projects related to regional economic development, and the importance of HSU as a regional center for arts and entertainment.
“What is absolutely clear is that the CSU is a great investment in our young people and a great investment for California,” said HSU President Rollin C. Richmond. “We see the impact very clearly here in Humboldt, and I very much hope that our elected officials in Sacramento are paying attention.”
Detailed information about the new economic impact report is available at www.calstate.edu/impact.
Information specific to Humboldt State University is at http://www.calstate.edu/impact/campus/humboldt.html and a pdf fact sheet for HSU is at http://www.calstate.edu/impact/factsheets/Humboldt_FS.pdf