California, as the state with the most higher education institutions, has 1,246 colleges and universities. Its population is approximately 39.5 million. Calculating the number of colleges and universities per capita, with "per capita" defined as "per 100,000 people," we find the following: (1,246 colleges/universities / 39,500,000 people) * 100,000 = 31.51898734 colleges/universities per 100,000 people. Rounded to one decimal place, there are 31.5 colleges and universities per 100,000 people in California.

To calculate the number of colleges and universities per capita (per 100,000 people) in California, we first divide the total number of higher education institutions by the state's total population. Then, we multiply the result by 100,000 to adjust the figure to a per 100,000 people basis. Following the provided data and the formula:

(1,246 colleges/universities ÷ 39,500,000 people) * 100,000 = 31.51898734 colleges/universities per 100,000 people

When rounded to one decimal place, this becomes 31.5 colleges and universities per 100,000 people in California.

Extra: Understanding per capita calculations is essential in various fields, such as economics, public health, and social sciences, as it helps compare figures for different populations. Per capita means "for each person" and it is a way to present statistical data by normalizing it to the population size, which allows for a more accurate comparison between locations or groups with different population sizes.

In this case, by calculating the number of colleges and universities per 100,000 people, we provide a way to understand the relative availability or density of higher education institutions in California independent of its total population. This normalized figure helps assess educational resources in comparison to other states or countries, reflecting how distributed or accessible higher education is for the residents of California. It can also serve as a measure of educational infrastructure in relation to the population.