FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 11, 2025 (Salt Lake City) – Utah State University strengthens Utah’s economy throug high-quality education; research and innovation; institutional, student, and visitor spending; and broad societal benefits. A new report from the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, commissioned by the Utah System of Higher Education (USHE), details USU’s significant statewide economic contribution, which includes supporting more than 17,000 jobs, $1.0 billion in earnings, $1.4 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and $2.2 billion in output (total sales) statewide in FY2023.

“As a land-grant university, we are deeply committed to serving the public good,” USU Interim President Al Smith said. “This study confirms that we are not only changing lives but also driving billions in economic impact across the state. USU plays a vital role in strengthening local economies, expanding opportunity, and fueling innovation. It’s a powerful reminder that investing in higher education is investing in Utah.”

“Utah State University contributes meaningfully to Utah’s economy—not only by educating students and strengthening the workforce, but also through its employment, spending, and research activity,” said Andrea Brandley, senior education analyst and lead author of the report. “These activities generate ripple effects across Utah, supporting jobs, businesses, and economic growth statewide.”

Key findings from the report include the following:

Education – USU enrolled more than 28,000 students across more than 300 degree and certificate programs during the 2022-23 academic year. USU awarded 6,764 degrees and certificates during this same period, equipping graduates for a wide range of careers in Utah’s economy. More than half of USU graduates work in-state five years after graduation.

Employment – USU directly employed 10,436 individuals in FY 2023, making it the largest employer in Cache County and the seventh largest employer statewide. Including indirect and induced jobs, USU supports more than 17,000 jobs in Utah.

Economic Activity – USU supported a total of $1.0 billion in earnings, $1.4 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), and $2.2 billion in output (total sales) in Utah in FY 2023.

Research – USU received $450 million in research funding in FY 2023, with 74% coming from federal sources, bringing new money to the state. This research funding supports 6,665 jobs, $385 million in earnings, $518 million in GDP, and $967 million in output statewide, a significant portion of USU’s total economic contribution.

Societal Benefits – Beyond its quantifiable economic contribution, USU benefits its students, employees, and community across four key areas: workforce quality and development, research and commercialization, student experience, and community supports and services.

The full report is now available online.

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Contact:

Nick Thiriot, Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute, nick.thiriot@utah.edu, 801-842-9150

Amanda DeRito, Utah State University, amanda.derito@usu.edu, 435-797-2759

 

ABOUT THE KEM C. GARDNER POLICY INSTITUTE

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves Utah by preparing economic, demographic, and public policy research that helps the state prosper. We are Utah’s demographic experts, leaders on the Utah economy, and specialists on public policy and survey research. We are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS, and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information, please visit gardner.utah.edu or call 801-587-3717.

ABOUT THE DAVID ECCLES SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

The Eccles School is synonymous with ‘doing.’ The Eccles experience provides a world-class business education with a unique, entrepreneurial focus on real-world scenarios where students put what they learn into practice long before graduation. Founded in 1917 and educating more than 6,000 students annually, the University of Utah David Eccles School of Business offers nine undergraduate majors, four MBAs, nine other graduate programs, a Ph.D. in seven areas, and executive education curricula. The School is also home to more than 20 institutes, centers, and initiatives, which deliver academic research and support an ecosystem of entrepreneurship and innovation. For more information, visit Eccles.Utah.edu or call 801-581-7676.

ABOUT UTAH STATE UNIVERSITY

Utah State University is a premier land- and space-grant institution committed to excellence, access, and inclusion. Since its founding in 1888, USU has evolved from a small agricultural college tucked away in the Northern Utah mountains to a thriving, R1 research university with locations serving the entire state of Utah and known throughout the world for its intellectual and technological leadership.