Report: WSU generates $3.4 billion economic impact for state

PULLMAN, Wash. – Washington State University generated more than $3.4 billion in economic impact within the State of Washington in 2014, according to a new economic impact study released today in conjunction with the launch of a yearlong celebration of the institution’s 125th birthday.

According to the report, WSU delivered $18.87 in economic impact for every state dollar invested in the institution. Washington’s only land-grant research university reported nearly $2 billion in research grant expenditures between the fiscal years 2008 and 2013, with more than $341 million in research grant expenditures in fiscal 2014 alone.

“Over its 125-year history, Washington State University has had a tremendous impact within Washington, as well as around the nation and the world,” said WSU President Elson S. Floyd. “The innovative research of our faculty and the energy and skill of our graduates have positively transformed the economic landscape of our state and beyond.“

The report was spearheaded by WSU’s Office of Economic Development and led by Associate Vice President Anson Fatland.

The report, prepared for WSU by Community Attributes Inc., also speaks to the reach of WSU research and education. WSU has a working presence in each of Washington’s 39 counties through WSU Extension. It features campuses in Pullman, Tri Cities, and Vancouver as well as the WSU Health Sciences in Spokane and a growing presence at WSU North Puget Sound at Everett. WSU’s Global Campus offers online degree programs that can be accessed from anywhere.

The entire report can be viewed at http://economicdevelopment.wsu.edu/economicimpact/.

 

Contacts:
Kathy Barnard, University Communications, (509) 335-8055, kbarnard@wsu.edu

Anson Fatland, WSU Economic Development, (206) 448-1330, ansonf@wsu.edu