Impact on Michigan
Like any great public research university, Wayne State’s three most easily recognized contributions to the life of its home state are an educated, informed workforce; the creation and application of new knowledge; and direct, practical services to the broader community. Through programs, partnerships, the fruits of its research and the talents of its alumni, Wayne State University plays a significant and increasingly influential role in the educational, social, cultural and economic life of Michigan.
Economic impact
Wayne State University makes a significant contribution to the economic vitality of Michigan. Public and private resources invested in the university yield economic benefits to the state through increased employment, local expenditures, gross state product and tax revenues. The university annually contributes more than $1 billion to the economy of the seven-county southeast Michigan area. Contributing factors include:
- Non-payroll expenditures for teaching, operations and research have a combined net economic benefit of $327 million in the seven counties of southeastern Michigan and $261 million in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties.
- Other significant economic benefits from WSU in the seven-county region are generated by expenditures by students ($386 million), faculty and staff ($337 million) and visitors ($25 million).
- Surveys show that new graduates spend more than $93 million per year within the first two years of graduation.
- Direct state taxes paid on earnings because of WSU expenditures in the area amount to $90 million per year.
- Total net new tax revenue to the state of Michigan as a direct result of Wayne State University is approximately $140 million per year. This equals a return of 64 cents on the dollar on the $218 million appropriated to Wayne State in 2008.
