Research Facts & Figures > Education, Research & Child Care
Please Note: Pages listed in bolded, large type are most up-to-date.
World-famous universities and scientific research laboratories have made the East Bay an important center of intellectual resources and technical innovation, and are the engines that power high-tech growth in the Bay Area. The East Bay's University of California, Berkeley, is the highest ranked public university in the nation. Graduates and professors of this university have founded hundreds of successful high-tech companies. California State University, Hayward, St. Mary's, Mills, Holy Names, Patton, and Armstrong colleges, JFK University and the California College of Arts and Crafts also help to provide the highly trained workforce that high-tech needs, while four community college districts prepare and upgrade today’s workforce. Over the past ten years, East Bay schools have repeatedly scored above the state average for every grade level and subject matter tested, and on average, more graduates from East Bay high schools continue their education at public or private institutions.
EDUCATION
A region’s K-12 schools lay the groundwork for a competitive and educated workforce. Fortunately, the East Bay’s schools perform better than the statewide average in most comparisons. With higher percentages of credentialed teachers, growing numbers of students with access to technology, lower dropout rates, and gradually rising SAT scores, the East Bay’s primary and secondary education systems are doing a better job of preparing today’s students for their entrance into the challenging and uncertain economy of the future. The East Bay’s workforce is highly educated and well above the national and state averages, with 38.4 percent holding a Bachelor’s degree or better, higher than the state and national averages.
Educational Attainment by City
Educational Attainment by County
Percent of 12th Grade Grads Completing Courses for UC or CSU by County
Percent of 12th Grade Grads Completing Courses for UC or CSU by MSA
Average Education Spending per Pupil by County
Average Education Spending per Pupil by MSA
Student to Teacher Ratios by County
High School Drop-Out Rates by County
Community College Enrollment in the East Bay
University Enrollment in the East Bay
CHILD CARE
Child care is a key component of the economic and social infrastructure in the East Bay. Recent research has emphasized the importance of high-quality care to children's growth and development. Child care is also a critical support for working families and businesses that employ them. The East Bay has a vibrant child care industry, but significant challenges remain in ensuring that child care is available, accessible, affordable, and high quality. Housing, transportation, and child care are all critical to successful, sustainable economic growth and should be carefully considered as the East Bay continues to grow.
RESEARCH
World-famous universities and scientific research laboratories have made the East Bay an important center of intellectual resources and technical innovation, and are the engines that power high-tech growth in the Bay Area. The East Bay's University of California, Berkeley, is the highest ranked public university in the nation. Graduates and professors of this university have founded hundreds of successful high-tech companies. Meanwhile the research that the labs does encourages the development and implementation of new technologies