WSU makes nearly $4B economic impact on Washington

Washington State University generated nearly $4 billion in economic impact throughout the state of Washington in 2024.

A new economic impact report by Community Attributes Inc. found the university’s total economic impact on the state is comprised of $1.75 billion in direct institutional, student, and visitor impacts, as well as $2.2 billion in indirect and induced impacts. Additionally, the report found that for every dollar of state funding the university received, it generated nearly $12 in economic impact.

“Washington State University is a powerful engine of opportunity,” WSU President Betsy Cantwell said. “This report shows that every dollar invested in WSU returns twelve to our state through jobs, innovation, and community growth. Our reach is statewide, and our impact is real with research that solves real problems, education that transforms lives, and a relentless drive to advance Washington.”

The university supported approximately 20,000 jobs and more than $1.6 billion in total labor income across the state in 2024. WSU’s more than 9,900 full- and part-time employees spent their salaries locally in 37 of the state’s 39 counties, ensuring a broad range of impact from Adams to Yakima counties. Nearly half a million individuals visited WSU locations during 2024, attending campus visits and graduation ceremonies, as well as athletic and other entertainment events.

WSU’s research enterprise continues to be a critical component of its mission, with total research expenditures eclipsing $403 million in 2024. Over the past decade, WSU averaged nearly $400 million in annual expenditures across the decade after adjusting for inflation.

This work isn’t just expanding scientist’s understanding of their selected field. It’s also leading to commercially available products and innovations, ranging from new fruit and vegetable varieties to novel processes for making food safer. All-told, the university generated more than $75 million in inflation-adjusted commercialization revenues from 2015–2024.

The university also continues to graduate thousands of students every year prepared to meet Washington’s workforce needs for the future. Roughly one-third of these students are the first in their immediate family to attend college. Upwards of 85% of WSU students who’ve earned a bachelor’s degree also come from the state of Washington.

WSU’s total economic impact grew significantly since 2015, when an economic report found the university generated more than $3.4 billion in economic impact in the state.