Best Online Colleges in California

Benefits of Studying Online in California

As the most populous state in the United States, it’s no surprise that California is also the largest producer of goods and services. On top of being the home to the world’s film capital (Los Angeles), California is also home to the Silicon Valley, which is home to some of the world’s most famed technology companies. That said, the state’s capitol is located in Sacramento, which is a booming hub that links the fun of California with the politics that run it. At nearly 164,000 square miles, California is the nation’s 3rd largest state by land area, and with a total of more than 39.5 million people, it accounts for nearly 12% of the nation’s population.

Employment Stats

It’s also home to the nation’s largest workforce, with more than 17.7 million employed people. That makes California by far the nation’s largest employer, with more than double the employees that Texas, the second highest ranked state, has on its payroll (17,723 to 13,630) - and everyone else combined (30.03% more to be exact). California’s workforce has swelled by more than 695,000 over the past year, bringing its 2022 total to 17,727.7. That makes Califonira the 10th fastest-growing state year over year, boasting a 4.08% increase in employed units over 2021.

The Golden State also stands far ahead of the median state in terms of number of employees and percentage of the nation’s workforce. It has more than 15.7 million more workers than the median state (796% more to be exact). That’s more than double the population of the median state in terms of employed citizens, which makes it an attractive area to consider for those looking to find a job after graduating.

Job Opportunities

California is not just the most populated state in the US, but it also boasts some of the most diverse job markets. In addition to the astronomical quantity of employed persons, California also offers 811 unique job types, which puts it well above the national median of 722, giving the state a 12.3% advantage. In other words, you’ll have the opportunity to pursue nearly 90 additional occupations that may not be available in other states, making California’s job market truly unique and giving new college graduates a wide basket of employment choices.

Moreover, the state is home to some of the world’s most prestigious universities. Stanford University is the #1 ranked university and is located in the city of Palo Alto, not far from San Francisco. The University of California (located in Berkeley) and UCLA (in Los Angeles) are both ranked in the top 10 as well. California also has a number of other high ranking universities, such as UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara.

It’s also worth mentioning that California has some of the best weather in the nation and an abundance of natural beauty, so the draw toward the state is multifaceted. With outstanding universities and an unmatched job market, California certainly has the potential to be an excellent springboard for future success.

Overall, California is by far the nation’s largest producer of goods and services and its largest employer, creating a flourishing job market in the process. With an abundance of educational opportunities and ample employment opportunities, California represents an ideal place for the modern student to settle (temporarily or permanently) and create a career in the Golden State.

*All data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023)