UW Engineering fuels jobs, economic growth and innovation for the state of Washington.
UW Engineering is not only a leader in research and innovation, it’s also a powerful economic engine for the state of Washington. Our impact ripples far beyond the campus, reaching businesses, industries and communities across Washington. From supporting small local enterprises to fueling high-tech industries, UW Engineering strengthens the foundation of the state’s economy.
That impact is measurable. UW Engineering sustains thousands of jobs, injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the state economy, and helps translate new ideas into real-world solutions. By advancing discovery and powering industries, we contribute to a stronger, more resilient Washington — today and for the future.
$605 million
UW Engineering’s economic impact on Washington state in FY24
$479 million
added to state GDP
$117.1 million
generated in state and local tax revenues
3,767 jobs
supported and sustained
82%
of graduates stay in Washington
50%
of new engineers in Washington are UW graduates
$95K
average starting salary for graduates
Core drivers of impact
Our students are engaging in hands-on research that prepares them to create, innovate and lead.
Our economic reach is driven by three main sources: operations, student spending and visitor activity.
Operational spending — the day-to-day functions that keep UW Engineering running — generated $326 million in economic activity and supported 1,600 jobs, including 829 faculty and staff positions on campus in FY24.
Student spending produced $250 million in economic impact and sustained nearly 2,000 jobs throughout the state. Students contribute directly to the economy through housing, food, transportation and retail purchases — circulating dollars that strengthen local communities.
UW Engineering visitors — those attending conferences, events and professional meetings — contributed an additional $29 million to Washington’s economy and supported 176 jobs in hospitality, transportation and related sectors.
Advancing research and innovation
With more than $145 million in annual research activity, UW Engineering is one of the nation’s leading contributors to discovery and applied innovation.
In FY24, research conducted by UW Engineering generated $272.2 million in total economic impact and supported 1,070 jobs statewide.
We launched seven startups in FY24, accounting for 58 percent of all new UW startups that year, and secured 17 new commercialization agreements.
Our research enterprise continues to expand through strong partnerships with industry and government, including collaborations with Amazon, Boeing, T-Mobile and Microsoft. These relationships foster advances in areas such as artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, clean energy, health innovation and sustainable infrastructure.
Supporting the state’s workforce
Our alumni are a critical component of Washington’s workforce. Among more than 38,000 UW Engineering alumni worldwide, approximately 74% live and work in Washington, collectively generating $3.9 billion in annual economic activity and supporting over 17,000 jobs statewide.
Strengthening public revenues and community impact
UW Engineering’s presence generates significant public benefit. In FY24, our operations, research and associated activities produced $117.1 million in state, local and federal tax revenue, supporting education, infrastructure and essential services across Washington.
“UW Engineering is far more than an academic institution — it’s a cornerstone of the state’s economic vitality. Our work turns ideas into impact: advancing discovery, preparing tomorrow’s workforce and strengthening the families and communities that power Washington’s economy.”
UW Engineering Economic Impact Report overview
In 2025, UW Engineering engaged Parker Strategy Group to measure the economic contribution of our operations to the state of Washington. The economic impact of UW Engineering in fiscal year 2024 totaled $605 million. This contribution to the local and statewide economies is a point-in-time snapshot depicting how the expenditures of UW Engineering and its faculty, staff, students and visitors make an impact. As made clear in this report, UW Engineering’s influence extends well beyond classrooms and laboratories — it sustains thousands of jobs and injects hundreds of millions of dollars into the broader state economy.
- Study period: Fiscal year 2024
- Methodology: IMPLAN data and software; the IMPLAN database is built using ZIP code, county, state and federal economic data that are specialized by region to measure the impact of an organization’s economic activity. IMPLAN derives these multipliers from industry data collected by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and other federal sources.
- Financial and employment data provided by UW Engineering and analyzed within IMPLAN.
- Total economic impact represents the combined effects of UW Engineering’s operational spending, capital investments, research activity and payroll, as well as the broader economic value created through its partnerships, students and alumni.