UW News

October 30, 2024

Report: UW drives nearly $21 billion, 112,000 jobs to help support Washington鈥檚 economy

graphic showing statistic

Across its three campuses, the UW generated a total impact on the state鈥檚 economy of $20.9 billion in fiscal year 2023, according to report released today.爱豆社区

Across its three campuses, the 爱豆社区 generated a total impact on the state鈥檚 economy of $20.9 billion in fiscal year 2023, according to an economic contribution analysis released today. The study further concludes that the economic activity of the UW system supported or sustained 111,951 jobs statewide.

鈥淭hese numbers clearly demonstrate the 爱豆社区鈥檚 role as a powerhouse of innovation and economic growth for our state,鈥 said Gov. Jay Inslee. 鈥淏y driving job creation, research breakthroughs and community development as well as educating tomorrow鈥檚 leaders, the UW delivers on its public mission for all Washingtonians. This incredible contribution underscores the vital role public research universities play in building a thriving, dynamic economy.鈥

The analysis shows that the economic contribution of the UW has increased over the past decade: The analysis shows that the economic contribution of the UW has increased over the past decade rising from $15.7 billion in 2018-2019 to $20.9 billion in 2023-2024. Similar reports in 2015 valued the UW鈥檚 impact at $12.5 billion, and $9.1 billion in 2009. 听

鈥淭he 爱豆社区 serves the people and communities throughout Washington in many ways: creating opportunity for students, training vital health care providers and other professionals, and advancing research and innovation in partnership with communities and industry,鈥 said UW President Ana Mari Cauce. 鈥淎s this report makes clear, the UW is making an impact that betters our state鈥檚 economy and improves the health and the lives of everyone we serve. We are proud to contribute and to help make all people in Washington thrive.鈥

The study measured the economic contribution of UW operations including its campuses and projects in the Puget Sound region, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue Metropolitan Statistical Area, and across the state of Washington. The study provides individual impact analyses of UW Medicine, the five-state WWAMI Medical Education Program, UW research, Intercollegiate Athletics, UW alumni and CoMotion, a collaborative innovation hub dedicated to expanding the economic and societal impact of the UW community.听

For journalists: B-roll and soundbites about this year’s report are available .

 

The study was conducted by Parker Strategy Group, formerly a part of Parker Philips, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in economic impact analysis.听

鈥淭he UW continues to grow its impact year over year in the city and the state. Continued economic growth is not a foregone conclusion for colleges and universities across the U.S. Once again, the UW shows that it is a sustainable economic driver that is making a significant economic and societal impact on Washington,鈥 said Nichole Parker, managing principal of Parker Strategy Group.

Among the findings in the study:

  • The $20.9 billion total economic impact of the UW in fiscal year 2023. That figure included $10.3 billion direct and $10.6 billion indirect and induced spending. The total, was the result of operational, student, visitor and capital spending (three-year average), and payroll and benefits paid to employees.
  • As a result of UW鈥檚 expenditures and student and visitor spending, the University supported or sustained a total of 111,951 jobs 鈥 one out of every 34 jobs in the state.
  • Through its local spending and the jobs it supported or sustained, the鈥UW generated $962.6 million in state and local taxes.
  • UW staff, faculty and students contribute an estimated $66.4 million annually in charitable giving and volunteerism.
  • The UW supported or sustained $1 out of every $32 in Washington鈥檚 economy.

A large portion of the UW鈥檚 overall effect on the state鈥檚 economy is attributed to UW Medicine, which has an annual economic impact of鈥$12.5 billion, supports or sustains鈥60,717 jobs and鈥痝enerates $588.3鈥痬illion in state and local tax鈥痳evenue. Beyond the medical and social impact of this integrated health鈥痵ystem,鈥疷W Medicine connects residents with a top-rated medical school and an鈥痠nternationally recognized research organization. The study shows that UW Medicine鈥檚 impact continues to grow.

Download the full report here.

 

UW鈥檚 research enterprise continues to be a driver of impact and discovery. The UW鈥檚 $1.87 billion in sponsored research drives $2.6 billion of UW鈥檚 overall impact. The UW receives more federal research dollars than any other U.S. public university, according to the National Science Foundation’s .

The study also analyzed the individual impact of the UW Bothell and UW Tacoma campuses, both of which make a major impact on the communities they serve and the state of Washington. Both campuses show an increase of jobs and impact in the five years since the previous economic impact study. UW Bothell鈥檚 fiscal year 2023 economic impact totaled $394.2 million in the state of Washington, with 2,539 jobs supported or sustained. UW Tacoma in fiscal year 2023 accounted for a鈥$359 million impact in the state of Washington and supported or sustained a total of鈥2,277 jobs.

In addition to the impact of campus operations, the report also found that the income being added into the economy as a result of graduates obtaining post-secondary education creates impact at the household, community and statewide level. In academic year 2023, the UW conferred over 7,000 bachelor鈥檚, master鈥檚, doctoral and professional degrees. The total number of alumni living and working in the state totals 375,625, a group which will generate $454.6 billion over their careers supporting and sustaining 2 million jobs.

For more information, contact Victor Balta at balta@uw.edu.听

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