UC: A Dynamic Engine for California’s Economy

The University of California has actively driven and sustained California’s economy for more than a century, from its earliest contributions in agriculture to its catalyst role in the biotechnology, telecommunications and computer technology industries during the final decades of the 20th century. Today, the groundwork for California’s future economic growth is being laid at UC campuses where new innovations are being discovered and the next generation of scientists, engineers and business leaders is being trained.

LOCAL DOLLARS: The University brings money into its surrounding communities. The impact of UC campuses’ direct and indirect spending on their respective metropolitan regions will total between $11.6 and $13.6 billion in 2002. And this doesn’t include the value of spinoff companies and research partnerships associated with UC activities. UC campuses and national laboratories are also powerful magnets for federal research funds, bringing in billions of dollars to the state that it would not otherwise see. more...

STRONG TAX BASE: The UC system also generates tax revenue – $4-5 billion in state and local tax revenues in 2002, and a total of $56 billion projected over the next decade.

QUALITY JOBS: UC creates jobs, directly and indirectly. More than 114,000 faculty and staff work at UC campuses, receiving $6.5 billion in wages and salaries this year. And statewide, California has another 250,000 non-university jobs because of the impact of direct university expenditures. Combined, the nearly 370,000 jobs directly dependent on UC expenditures represent more than 2% of all employment in California. These jobs bring prosperity and stability to families and neighborhoods throughout the state.

But that’s just the beginning of the story.

Supporting Regional and Industry Clusters - California's economy, one of the top 10 largest in the world, is driven by knowledge-intensive industry “clusters” such as biotech, telecommunications and information technology. These clusters form a key link between UC research, UC workforce development and the future of California’s economy. more…

Training California’s Workforce - UC produces 7 percent of the nation's Ph.D.s. and is involved in the entire continuum of workforce training – from preparing high-school students for college to university programs for undergraduates and graduate students to continuing education courses. more…

UC Impacts on California Technology - The economic and social benefits derived from UC innovations and knowledge are greatest when that research can be quickly used by industry and put into practical applications and products for the office and home. More than 160 companies have been founded on the basis of UC technology licensing agreements. In the biotech field alone, 1 in 4 U.S. companies is located within 35 miles of a UC campus. more…

UC Technology Transfer
Growing California’s Agriculture
UC Economic Impact Reports
Keeping California Competitive (annual report profiles)