SJSU’s total economic impact generated $2 billion in annual business output statewide.
ROBERT BAIN
Story Highlights
- San Jose State University generates $2 billion annual economic
output. - SJSU created over 10,000 jobs across California statewide.
- SJSU graduates earn average annual salary of $76,114.
A new report has found that a Silicon Valley university generates massive
economic impact.
The analysis, titled “Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the
CSU,” broke down the program’s statewide impact into four sections — economic,
student, industry workforce and societal outcomes.
The CSU’s study revealed that San Jose State University generates nearly
seven times the state’s investment in economic output and created over
10,000 jobs across California translating to more than $930 million in earned
wages statewide.
Regionally, SJSU provided 9,900 jobs and brought in $1.8 billion in private sector
business spending.
“This report shines a light on SJSU’s impact at the epicenter of the future and the
powerful role the CSU system plays to keep California’s economy strong and
thriving in every corner of the state,” SJSU President Cynthia Teniente-Matson
said in a prepared statement.
Preparing a skilled workforce that makes money
According to SJSU alumni earn “high median incomes” relative to those without a
degree and is ranked fourth in the CSU for the overall additional income SJSU
alumni because of their degrees.
The university’s career center found in a survey that the average annual salary of
SJSU graduates is $76,114.
Per the CSU’s report, SJSU alumni hold nearly 50,000 jobs statewide resulting in
$9.8 billion in industry activities and $771 million in state and local tax revenues
across California
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On a broader scale, Chapter 4 of the report, dubbed “Meeting Industry Workforce
Needs,” states that half of all California bachelor’s degrees were issued by the CSU
between 2023-2024.
The study highlighted SJSU’s workforce preparedness, stating that SJSU’s Valley
Foundation of Nursing and the university’s Center for Applied Research on
Human Services foster community and involve students in applied research.
A previous Silicon Valley Business Journal report finds that the CSU has produced
4.3 million graduates, most of whom launch their careers in California. The
report notes that such strong retention bolsters industries across the state and
fuels what the CSU refers to as “an impressive network of leaders, innovators and
public servants.”
Other accolades SJSU has received this year
SJSU has received a multitude of achievements in 2025.
The Wall Street Journal also ranked 16th overall in the outlet’s 2026 best colleges
in the U.S. list.
In addition to these accolades, SJSU was also awarded and R2 research
designation, a nomination that requires schools to spend $5 million in research
and awards a minimum of 20 research doctorates annually.
“It’s huge. San Jose State is the Silicon Valley’s only public research university, and
that’s a phenomenal place to be,” said Marc D’Alarcao, interim vice president of
research and innovation previously told SVBJ.
Wealthiest Greater Bay Area Colleges and
Universities (ranked by endowment per
student)
Endowment assets per full-time undergrad (2023)
Rank Prior Rank Institution
1 1 Stanford University
2 2 Santa Clara University
3 3 San Francisco Conservatory of Music Inc
