Economic Impact

Oregon State University

OSU is the largest university in Oregon, enrolling over 38,000 students across its Corvallis and Cascades campuses, Ecampus, and extension programs that touch all 36 counties and the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation. The university’s mission spans accessible higher education, nationally recognized research, and service to communities. OSU also operates world-class research facilities—including the Hatfield Marine Science Center and OSU Extension—that anchor industries ranging from forestry and agriculture to oceanography and advanced manufacturing.

Case Study:

Oregon State University

The Puzzle

As Oregon’s land-grant university, Oregon State University (OSU) plays a pivotal role in advancing education, research, and community well-being across the state. Yet leaders recognized the need for clear data to demonstrate the university’s statewide reach—showing how OSU’s mission translates into economic growth, jobs, and innovation in every county.

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How we helped

Parker Strategy Group delivered a comprehensive FY2024 economic impact report, finding that OSU contributes $3.5 billion annually to Oregon’s economy. For every $1 invested by the state, OSU returns $13.18 in economic impact. In addition, PSG found these key pieces of data that helped tell the full story of OSU’s impact:

22,141 jobs supported and sustained on-campus and through the university’s economic activity.
$243.8 million generated in state and local tax revenues.
$422 million in research expenditures, which generated $797.5 million in statewide economic impact.
OSU athletics sold 337,650 tickets for their 17 Division 1 athletic teams. The ticket sales and resulting impact of visitor spending generated $325.4 million in economic impact across the state.
Of OSU’s 238,511 total alumni, 134,592 live and work in Oregon, generating $258.5 billion over their careers while supporting and sustaining an additional 1.4 million jobs in the statewide economy.

Impact was measured across every county, illustrating how OSU’s reach extends far beyond its campuses.

How It Helped The Client

With these results, OSU is equipped to demonstrate its extraordinary return on public investment—reinforcing its case for state support and private philanthropy. The report affirms OSU’s role as an anchor institution not only for higher education but also for economic resilience, industry partnership, and community well-being across Oregon. By framing its mission in terms of jobs, tax revenues, and statewide impact, OSU can better engage policymakers, alumni, and business leaders in advancing its vision for the future.

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