Wayne State, Michigan’s public universities generate nearly $45 billion in economic impact, fueling jobs, innovation and growth statewide

Michigan's public universities are a powerful engine for economic growth, generating nearly $45 billion in net new economic activity each year. At the center of that impact is Wayne State University, whose $4.6 billion annual contribution underscores its critical role in advancing research, workforce development, community impact and student opportunity across the state.

A new independent economic impact study released by the Michigan Association of State Universities (MASU) shows that Michigan's 15 public universities collectively support more than 129,000 jobs statewide and contribute more than $7 billion in state tax revenue annually. Wayne State's share of that impact reflects its unique position as Michigan's only urban R1 research institution - one that pairs world-class research with a commitment to student access and success.

Key findings from the study show that in fiscal year 2024, Michigan's public universities generated nearly $45 billion in net new economic activity - nearly 28 times the state's $1.6 billion appropriation for these institutions - through university operations, student spending and alumni earnings. Public universities supported an estimated 129,311 jobs, including nearly 64,000 net new jobs that would not exist without them.

The impact of Wayne State and its peer institutions extend well beyond campus. The state's 1.6 million public university alumni generated more than $15 billion in incremental earnings due to their degrees, while university-related economic activity produced more than $7.1 billion in state tax revenue. Graduates of Michigan's public universities earn nearly twice as much as peers without a college degree, averaging $91,073 for ages 25-34, compared to $46,272 for high school graduates.

Additional analysis from Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M) highlights the statewide importance of Michigan's four R1 institutions - Wayne State, Michigan State University, Michigan Technological University and the University of Michigan. Collectively, these universities conducted more than $3.44 billion in academic research, generating more than $950 million in economic activity in Michigan and attracting billions in federal and industry funding from outside the state.

The Anderson Economic Group completed the study using fiscal year 2024 data. To put it in context, some of the most visible economic forces in entertainment and sports generate huge activity - yet still don't match the annual economic contribution of Michigan's public universities. For example, Taylor Swift's Eras Tour was estimated to generate roughly $9 billion in economic activity over two years across 19 nations, and the NFL's total revenues topped $23 billion in 2024, driven by media rights, sponsorships, and game-day activity.

As state policymakers begin work on the 2026 legislative session and budget process, the findings reinforce Wayne State University's role as a high-return investment in Michigan's workforce, community resilience, research enterprise and long-term economic competitiveness, and as a national model for combining top-tier research with access to higher education.