San Francisco State University shines in latest Cal State economic impact report

SFSU receives high marks for affordability and return on investment 

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 19, 2025 — Reinforcing its reputation as a launchpad for student success and a vital driver of the Bay Area’s economy, San Francisco State University (SFSU) stands out in the latest economic impact report released by the California State University (CSU) system. The report analyzes the CSU’s contributions to California as a whole and at its 23 campuses statewide, through its transformative impact on students as well as the state’s economy, industry and society.  

SFSU is among California’s top universities helping students from all backgrounds turn education into meaningful and fulfilling careers. The report shows the degrees earned by SFSU alumni attributes to higher median incomes, totaling $4.2 billion, supporting statewide impacts of over 25,000 jobs. SFSU has also been named among the top 20 affordable colleges with high return on investment by MSN.com. The University received 4.5 out of 5 stars in Money Magazine’s “Best Colleges 2025” rankings. 

“The results of the CSU Economic Impact study demonstrate the incredible return on investment that the state receives for support of the CSU,” SFSU President Lynn Mahoney said. “San Francisco State alone generates 9,700 state-level jobs, $717.4 million in wages earned and $101.7 million in tax revenues demonstrating the value of state support for the CSU. We fuel the Bay Area in so many ways, most importantly through the meaningful impact that an SFSU education has on the lives of our alumni and their families.” 

The University’s overall impact on the Bay Area region is $1.5 billion in industry activity. For every $1 the state of California invests in SFSU, the return on investment yields over $44 when the impact of enhanced alumni earnings is included. 

The report cites SFSU’s Criminal Justice Studies Department as an example of a program bridging classrooms and communities. Students intern with organizations that provide legal aid, re-entry support, youth mentorship and victim advocacy, expanding the capacity to serve marginalized populations, including formerly incarcerated individuals, at-risk youth and survivors of domestic violence. The report also cites awards SFSU’s graduate program in biomedical science and biotechnology, leveraging partnerships with Bay Area startups for thesis projects in gene editing, biosensors and biomanufacturing. 

As the nation’s most diverse and impactful four-year public university system, the CSU is among the state’s most powerful engines of economic mobility. During the 2023 – 2024 academic year, the CSU supported 210,800 jobs, contributing $13.6 billion in labor income across California, while delivering an overall statewide impact of $31.6 billion. 

The study utilizes data from 2023 – 2024 and was conducted by global advisory and digital services provider ICF, an international consulting firm specializing in economic impact studies 

Visit the CSU website to view the full report, “Moving California Forward: The Economic Power of the CSU.” 

About San Francisco State University 

San Francisco State University is a public university serving students from the San Francisco Bay Area, across California and around the world, with nationally acclaimed programs that span a broad range of disciplines. About 20,000 students enroll at the University each year, and its nearly 300,000 graduates have contributed to the economic, cultural and civic fabric of San Francisco and beyond. Through them — and more than 1,900 world-class faculty members — SFSU proudly embraces its legacy of academic excellence, community engagement and commitment to social justice.