Central Coast

Cal State Channel Islands | Cal State Monterey Bay | Cal Poly

The Central Coast region consists of five counties: Monterey, San Benito, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara and Ventura. Three CSU campuses are associated with that region: Cal State Channel Islands, Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Collectively, these campuses had a direct spend of nearly $2 billion in 2023-24.

$1.1 bILLION

on operational
expenditures

$123.4
MILLION

on capital expenditures (four-year average)¹

$279.9
MILLION

on auxiliary
expenditures

$478.1
BILLION

on student
spending

Regional impact: CSU campuses in the Central Coast region generated a substantial economic impact across the region, supporting a total of more than 31,500 jobs and contributing $1.1 billion in labor income, $3 billion in industry activity and $240 million in tax revenues, underscoring the campuses’ vital role in regional economic vitality.

When Central Coast region CSU alumni spend their incremental earnings in the statewide economy an estimated 32,300 jobs, $2.3 billion in labor income, $6.8 billion in industry activity and a remarkable $534 million in tax revenue is created each year.

For every 
            $1 the state invested in Central Coast region campuses, 
            $7.33 was generated in statewide industry activity, increasing to 
            $22.73 when including alumni earnings from these region campuses.

Input	Employment	Labor Income	Industry Activity	Tax Impact
Operational Expenditures	23,100	$744M	$1,869M	$123M
Capital Expenditures	1,300	$91M	$192M	$11M
Auxiliary	3,200	$134M	$400M	$36M
Student Spending	4,000	$132M	$494M	$69M
Total	31,500	$1,101M	$2,955M	$240M

¹ The CSU’s calculated four-year average (2021 to 2024) for campus capital expenditures is used because expenditures vary year to year.

Central Coast

For every $1 the state invested in Central Coast region campuses, $7.33 was generated in statewide industry activity, increasing to $22.73 when including alumni earnings from these region campuses.