A recent analysis highlights the substantial economic contribution of Cal Poly Pomona to Southern California, revealing that the institution drives $1.5 billion in industry output within the Los Angeles area. The findings, part of the 2025 California State University Economic Impact Report, indicate that every dollar provided by the state yields a return of $14.57 in broader economic activity, factoring in both institutional spending and alumni income. n nDuring the 2023-24 academic year, the university’s operations contributed significantly to regional employment and revenue. Campus-related expenditures totaled $1.03 billion, composed of $437 million in operational costs, $117.7 million for auxiliary services, $31.3 million in capital investments, and $444.6 million in student spending. These financial flows supported approximately 11,000 local jobs, generated $638.2 million in wages, and contributed $118.7 million in tax receipts for state and municipal governments. At the statewide level, the university sustained 11,200 positions, fueled $1.6 billion in economic output, and helped generate $121.4 million in public tax revenue. n nBeyond direct spending, graduates of Cal Poly Pomona continue to strengthen California’s economy. In the same period, their enhanced earnings—attributable to their CSU education—added an estimated $1.8 billion to the state’s economy. This boost supported 9,700 jobs, $689 million in labor compensation, $2 billion in industry activity, and $160.1 million in tax collections across California. n nAs part of the larger CSU system—the largest four-year public university network in the U.S.—Cal Poly Pomona contributes to a system-wide impact of $31.6 billion in economic activity and $2.3 billion in tax revenue, supporting over 210,800 jobs and $13.5 billion in labor income statewide. The study, conducted by consulting firm ICF using the IMPLAN input-output model, accounts for direct, indirect, and induced economic effects, including how alumni spending amplifies regional economic growth. n— news from Cal Poly Pomona
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Cal Poly Pomona Drives $1.5 Billion in Economic Activity in LA Region
A new study confirms Cal Poly Pomona’s powerful economic return on investment for California, showing that for every $1 invested by the state, the university generates $14.57 in statewide industry activity — including the impact of alumni earnings. n nAccording to the 2025 California State University Economic Impact Report released today, Cal Poly Pomona supports more than 11,000 jobs and generates $1.5 billion in industry activity across the Los Angeles region, underscoring its role as a major economic driver in Southern California. The report details the university’s significant influence on the regional economy through its spending, employment and alumni earning power. n nDuring the 2023-24 academic year, Cal Poly Pomona’s economic impact was driven by $1.03 billion in campus-related spending, which included: n n$437 million in operational expenditures n n$117.7 million in auxiliary costs n n$31.3 million in capital expenditures and n n$444.6 million in student spending n nThese expenditures supported about 11,000 regional jobs, $638.2 million in wages and $118.7 million in state and local tax revenue. At the state level, the university’s activities sustained 11,200 jobs, generated $1.6 billion in industry activity and produced $121.4 million in tax revenue. n nCal Poly Pomona alumni also play a pivotal role in fueling California’s economy. Their CSU degrees generated an estimated $1.8 billion in added earnings across the state in 2023-24, reflecting the substantial economic value of their education and its ripple effect through local communities. That added value supported 9,700 jobs, $689 million in wages, $2 billion in industry activity and $160.1 million in tax revenue statewide. n nThe CSU system is the nation’s largest, most diverse and most impactful four-year public university system with 22 universities, 450,000 students and more than 4.3 million alumni. It generated $31.6 billion in statewide economic impact and $2.3 billion in state and local tax revenue during the same year, supporting 210,800 jobs and contributing $13.5 billion in labor income across California. n nThe analysis, prepared by consulting firm ICF for the CSU Chancellor’s Office, used the IMPLAN input-output model, which measures the direct, indirect, and induced effects of university and student spending, along with the secondary impacts of alumni earnings. Alumni impact was calculated from the incremental income attributable to a CSU degree, considering the share spent in the local economy, and excluding investment income that does not circulate regionally.