Santa Rosa Junior College is touting the results of a consulting report that showed the community college generates about $1.8 billion in annual economic activity in Sonoma County — about 5.3% of the county’s GDP.
The report was compiled by the data analysis and consulting firm Lightcast using economic data from the 2023-24 fiscal year and showed Santa Rosa Junior College alumni helped increase value in about 18,990 jobs in the county, including 1,955 who work directly for the college.
The study showed that students who attend the school and finish with a certificate, associate’s degree or who go on to get bachelor’s degrees increased their lifetime earnings by about $7.20 for every dollar they spent on school, according to a news release from the college on Thursday.
Those who earn associate’s degrees make an average of about $9,300 more per year in California than those with only a high school diploma by the time they are at the midpoint of their careers, the Lightcast study said.
“Santa Rosa Junior College exists because this community believes in the transformative power of education to expand access and opportunity to everyone.”
Dr. Angelica Garcia, Superintendent and President of Santa Rosa Junior College
The study analyzed Santa Rosa Junior College’s operations, capital spending, student spending and alumni employment to arrive at its figures.
“Santa Rosa Junior College exists because this community believes in the transformative power of education to expand access and opportunity to everyone,” said Dr. Angelica Garcia, Superintendent and President of Santa Rosa Junior College.
“This study highlights how that shared commitment fuels economic strength across Sonoma County. SRJC’s impact reaches every corner of the county because students, educators, local partners, and employers are working toward the same goal of a vibrant and thriving future,” Garcia said in a statement.
Other determinations of the report were that roughly 1 in 17 jobs in Sonoma County is filled by an alum or supported by the college’s operations, the county receives about $1.40 back for every dollar spent on the school, and the school spent about $20 million in construction projects in fiscal year 2023-24.
The full report is online.