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San Luis Obispo County – Colleges/Universities 2023-2024

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Universities play a crucial role in shaping local economies by driving employment, fostering business growth, attracting investment, and enhancing the overall quality of life in their host communities. Their economic impact extends beyond direct spending to include long-term benefits such as workforce development, innovation, and cultural enrichment. Below, we explore the key ways in which a university influences a local economy.

  1. Direct Employment and Spending A university is often one of the largest employers in a local area, providing jobs for faculty, administrative staff, maintenance workers, and other professionals. These employees spend their salaries on housing, groceries, transportation, and entertainment, injecting money into the local economy. Additionally, universities spend significant amounts on construction, utilities, and local services, further stimulating business activity.

    Students also contribute to local spending. Many bring outside money into the community through tuition payments, federal aid, and personal expenditures on rent, food, and retail. A large student population can sustain businesses such as bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and housing providers.

  2. Business Development and Entrepreneurship Universities often serve as hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. Research institutions, business incubators, and technology transfer offices help commercialize academic research, leading to startup formation and industry partnerships. For example, Stanford University's role in Silicon Valley's growth demonstrates how academic institutions can spur regional economic development.

    Local businesses benefit from university partnerships, including procurement contracts for supplies, catering, and maintenance services. Furthermore, universities attract conferences, sporting events, and cultural activities that generate tourism revenue for hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

  3. Human Capital and Workforce Development A well-educated workforce is essential for economic competitiveness. Universities produce graduates with specialized skills that attract high-paying industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance. Many graduates remain in the area, filling critical roles in local businesses and government.

    Universities also offer continuing education programs, professional certifications, and workforce training initiatives that help upskill local employees, making the regional labor market more adaptable to industry changes.

  4. Real Estate and Infrastructure Growth The presence of a university can drive demand for housing, both from students and faculty. This often leads to the development of new apartments, condominiums, and mixed-use commercial spaces. Over time, universities contribute to urban revitalization by investing in campus expansions, public transit improvements, and community amenities like libraries and parks.

    However, rapid growth can also lead to challenges, such as rising housing costs and gentrification, which may displace long-term residents. Local governments must balance economic expansion with policies that ensure affordable housing and equitable development.

  5. Cultural and Social Contributions Beyond economics, universities enrich local culture through arts programs, public lectures, and athletic events. These activities improve residents' quality of life, making the area more attractive to businesses and skilled workers. A vibrant university town often sees increased property values and a more diverse, engaged community.


Conclusion

The economic impact of a university on a local economy is multifaceted, encompassing job creation, business growth, talent development, and infrastructure investment. While challenges such as affordability and displacement must be managed, the long-term benefits-including innovation, increased tax revenues, and a more dynamic workforce-make universities vital engines of regional prosperity. By fostering collaboration between academia, government, and industry, communities can maximize these advantages while ensuring inclusive growth.
 
The Colleges of Law at Santa Barbara
San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria  
Antioch University-Santa Barbara  
Glendale Career College-North-West College-Bakersfield  
California Aeronautical University  
Lionel University  
Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey  
Laurus College  
Pacifica Graduate Institute  
Fielding Graduate University  
Naval Postgraduate School  
Taft College  
Lemoore College  
Cerro Coso Community College  
California State University-Monterey Bay  
Monterey Peninsula College  
California State University-Bakersfield  
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo  
University of California-Santa Barbara  
Bakersfield College  
Percent admitted - total
Admissions yield - total

Full-time enrollment
Part-time enrollment

Total  enrollment
% White
% Black
% Asian
% Hispanic
% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
% American Indian or Alaska Native
% two or more races
% Race/ethnicity unknown
% U.S. Nonresident

Undergraduate enrollment
% under 18
% 18-24
% 25-64
% over 65

Graduate enrollment

Student-to-faculty ratio

Tuition and fees, 2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24

Total price for
In-district students living on campus  2023-24
In-state students living on campus 2023-24
Out-of-state students living on campus 2023-24

In-district students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24

In-district students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24

Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Doctor's degree - other

Instructional FTE
Research FTE
Public Service FTE
Librarians, Curators, and Archivists FTE
Student/Academic Affairs and Other Education Services FTE
Management FTE
Business and Financial Operations FTE
Computer, Engineering, and Science FTE
Community Service, Legal, Arts, and Media FTE
Healthcare FTE
Service FTE
Sales and Related FTE
Office and Administrative Support FTE
Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance FTE
Production, Transportation, and Material Moving FTE
Total FTE staff
NA
NA

7,565
22,845

30,410
17
4
4
70
0
0
3
0
0

30,410
29
43
27
1

0

32

1,418
1,430
1,430
1,430


NA
NA
NA

27,991
27,991
36,871

7,588
7,588
16,468

4,462
16
0
0
0
0

489
0
0
3
39
130
55
7
54
0
46
0
115
0
0
938
28
16

25,275
793

26,068
32
2
18
25
0
0
8
3
12

23,232
2
96
2
0

2,836

17

14,406
14,417
14,617
14,965


40,587
40,587
71,364

37,939
37,939
68,716

31,679
31,679
62,456

0
6,563
541
356
0
0

1,153
483
2
82
47
396
615
537
528
48
454
2
452
164
85
5,048
30
28

21,324
1,161

22,485
50
1
14
23
0
0
8
3
1

21,559
1
96
2
0

926

18

10,071
10,195
10,319
11,075


32,321
32,321
52,241

33,143
33,143
53,063

15,101
15,101
35,021

0
4,850
591
0
0
0

1,070
4
0
25
32
99
297
192
297
46
212
0
226
119
39
2,658
88
10

7,836
1,951

9,787
14
4
7
67
0
0
2
4
1

8,336
3
73
24
0

1,451

16

7,498
7,579
7,637
7,696


26,976
26,976
38,856

31,504
31,504
43,384

13,888
13,888
25,768

0
2,188
399
3
0
0

433
0
0
21
9
42
134
65
171
13
63
0
102
27
3
1,083
NA
NA

2,132
5,219

7,351
28
2
7
50
1
0
6
5
0

7,351
17
44
36
3

0

23

1,178
1,178
1,188
1,188


NA
NA
NA

40,430
40,430
49,166

7,526
7,526
16,262

736
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

186
0
0
6
26
29
23
15
19
1
28
0
37
0
0
370
95
8

5,784
958

6,742
27
3
6
53
0
0
5
4
2

5,909
1
81
18
0

833

16

7,147
7,218
7,323
7,437


28,719
28,719
40,599

36,155
36,155
48,035

13,863
13,863
25,743

0
1,967
298
0
0
0

313
0
0
16
10
33
165
90
125
4
24
0
85
29
12
906
NA
NA

878
4,812

5,690
37
6
5
46
0
1
5
0
0

5,690
28
28
42
2

0

25

1,382
1,384
1,384
1,384


NA
NA
NA

27,945
27,945
36,825

7,542
7,542
16,422

752
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

104
0
0
1
13
27
6
4
7
0
15
0
30
0
0
207
NA
NA

1,366
2,794

4,160
17
4
4
69
0
1
3
2
0

4,160
18
56
26
0

0

30

1,380
1,380
1,380
1,384


NA
NA
NA

27,946
27,946
36,646

7,542
7,542
16,242

783
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

73
0
0
4
22
22
0
1
0
0
24
0
15
0
0
161
NA
NA

908
3,227

4,135
17
4
2
66
0
0
2
8
0

4,135
16
38
46
1

0

24

1,104
1,108
1,108
1,108


14,101
14,101
22,069

27,669
27,669
35,637

7,266
7,266
15,234

539
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

67
1
0
3
32
40
1
8
0
0
20
2
31
1
0
206
NA
NA

1,478
1,122

2,600
72
4
4
11
0
0
2
1
6

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

2,600

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
1,153
12
0
0

258
145
0
14
30
45
71
77
12
0
6
0
107
0
1
766
NA
NA

762
175

937
49
18
4
12
0
2
7
7
1

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

937

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
228
91
0
0

88
0
0
2
23
31
3
5
2
0
2
0
21
0
0
177
NA
NA

615
267

882
57
3
4
9
0
1
6
18
2

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

882

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
169
55
0
0

90
0
0
6
40
19
8
11
1
0
18
0
13
5
6
217
NA
NA

407
387

794
14
11
48
19
2
0
1
3
0

794
0
4
94
2

0

18

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

130
34
0
0
0
0

30
0
0
0
24
11
3
5
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
77
NA
NA

391
112

503
29
2
9
8
0
0
2
8
41

12
0
58
42
0

491

1

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
6
357
0
0
0

78
0
0
3
4
32
17
13
10
0
2
0
31
3
0
193
NA
NA

339
155

494
53
24
0
15
0
2
5
0
0

480
0
6
94
0

14

24

10,107
10,107
15,288
15,288


NA
NA
NA

31,812
31,812
31,812

16,482
16,482
16,482

55
25
0
0
0
0

1
0
0
0
6
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
14
NA
NA

388
0

388
40
7
9
38
1
0
4
1
0

383
0
49
51
0

5

14

31,716
33,531
33,037
35,465


47,437
47,437
47,437

56,122
56,122
56,122

40,253
40,253
40,253

3
36
2
0
0
0

28
0
0
0
0
5
14
2
1
0
26
13
7
6
0
102
NA
NA

387
0

387
16
9
9
45
1
1
19
0
0

387
0
40
60
0

0

28

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

2
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

15
0
0
0
2
2
3
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
27
NA
NA

228
56

284
52
1
2
27
0
1
2
11
3

52
0
29
69
2

232

5

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
27
84
0
6
0

20
0
0
0
2
3
0
0
3
0
0
0
5
0
0
33
NA
NA

163
0

163
11
2
3
75
2
1
2
3
0

163
0
61
39
0

0

27

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

26
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

6
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
12
NA
NA

76
0

76
37
0
7
39
0
1
9
7
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

76

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
0
0
17
0

7
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
11


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus