USU supported $1.4B to the state economy in 2023, says new study

SALT LAKE CITY — New data shows how beneficial Utah State University is for the statewide economy — the research estimates USU's financial boost to the state at more than a billion dollars.

The study, conducted by the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute at the University of Utah, marks the institute's first economic report card of eight of Utah's public colleges and universities across the state. The institute found USU supported $1.4 billion in gross domestic product and had an economic output of $2.2 billion in the fiscal year of 2023.

The numbers essentially measure the funds that flow out of the university in several different areas. During the 2022-2023 academic year, USU employed 10,436 people, supported more than 17,000 jobs, enrolled about 28,000 students and awarded students 6,764 degrees — all of whom make and spend money throughout the state.

"That really has a big impact on our economy and having a skilled workforce," said senior education analyst Andrea Brandley. "The impacts we see here are even above and beyond that — the spending that they do (and) the employment that they have really ripples through the economy."

USU is the largest employer in Cache County and the seventh largest in the state of Utah. Research found its presence helps anchor the Logan community and supports people and businesses across the state.

The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute's next report will be on Southern Utah University, which the institute said it expects to be published later in June. The reports on Utah's six remaining public colleges will then be released over the next several years.

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