Images of how KU helps the KS economy

KU’s Economic Impact

The University of Kansas is a major economic development engine for the state. KU serves Kansans by creating thousands of jobs, educating an empowered workforce, and adding billions of dollars to the economy each year.

KU bolsters Kansas’ economy.

KU’s commitment to excellence in research and scholarship invites talent from around the world to join our spirited community and increases revenue for Kansas. What KU creates resonates beyond our five campuses, lifting Kansas and the world.


The following economic impact and investment insights were compiled for the University of Kansas and analyzed by the third-party data firm Lightcast. Follow the links at the bottom of the page to discover more ways KU adds economic value to Kansas and the Kansas City metro area.

Commencement grads

We bolster

the Kansas economy. As the state’s flagship university, KU powers prosperous activities in our communities to deliver on the investment entrusted to us by taxpayers.

Stats

$7.8B
Total annual income added to the Kansas economy by KU. That’s more than the annual gross income of all but one Kansas company (Koch).
$465.9M
The amount Kansas taxpayers avoid paying in expenses because of KU graduates. These benefits come from increased tax revenues from the higher earnings of KU graduates and cost avoidance for KU alumni’s reduced demand for public services.
87,693
The equivalent number of jobs in the state supported by KU activities (1 out of 23). That’s more than the combined total populations of Salina and Hutchinson.
cover of the executive summary report

Download the KU statewide executive summary

KU Statewide Executive Summary (PDF)

Engineering students talking with a professor

We endeavor

to lift society through our dedication to teaching, learning, and discovery as we prepare a new generation of leaders to improve the world.

Economic Impact 1

$924.6M
Annual tax revenue added to Kansas state and local governments from residents who are KU alumni.
$39M
Income added to the state economy by KU student spending in fiscal year 2023.
$2.5B
Income added to the state economy from KU alumni in fiscal year 2023, which is the equivalent to supporting 27,560 jobs.

Economic Impact 2

$5.70:$1
The student benefit to cost ratio for Jayhawks. This means that, for every dollar a student invests in a KU education, they receive $5.70 in returns (570%), or an annualized rate of return of 22.3%. This is much higher than the U.S. stock market’s annualized rate of return of approximately 10% over the last 30 years.
$2.90:$1
For every tax dollar spent educating KU students, Kansas taxpayers will receive $2.90 in returns over the course of the graduates’ working lives.
$33,900
The average bachelor’s degree graduate from KU earns $33,900 more annually than someone with only a high school diploma working in Kansas. Students who graduate with an advanced degree from KU will see an even higher increase in annual earnings, on average.
Architects looking at plans

We create

mighty enterprises and innovations. New startups formed from KU research attract worldwide talent to the state.

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54
The number of active startup businesses powered by KU research, with more than half based in Kansas.
$89.4M
Income added to the Kansas economy by these startup companies in fiscal year 2023.
750
The number of direct private sector jobs created by KU Innovation Park, where companies and entrepreneurs are powered by KU resources and skills. These jobs have generated $49.8 million in annual payroll as of the end of 2024.
download the full report pdf

Download the full KU statewide impact report

Full statewide report (PDF)

Student working on electronics

We take on

the world’s big questions, such as how to cure cancer, how to provide cybersecurity for the nation, how to protect Kansas’ water resources, and how to harness alternative energy sources.

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$315M
Income added to the state’s economy by KU research pursuits in fiscal year 2023. That’s nearly one dollar for every bushel of wheat produced by Kansas farmers in 2024.
41/49
Of the top 49 occupations KU alumni hold in Kansas, 41 are designated “high demand, high wage” by the Kansas Department of Labor. KU graduates fill more jobs in Kansas and the Kansas City metro area than the alumni of any other university.
download the KC metro executive summary pdf

Download the Kansas City metro executive summary

KC Metro Executive Summary (PDF)

Shaking hands

We boost

local economies as the largest university in Kansas and one of the top visitor destinations in the state.

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422,000+
The number of people who visit Kansas annually thanks to KU. These visitors — the equivalent of more than eight full-capacity NASCAR races at the Kansas Speedway — boost revenue for the state.
$86.6M
Income added to the state economy in fiscal year 2023 by people visiting Kansas for KU-related reasons such as prospective student visits, alumni visits, athletic events, performances, museums, conferences, health care, and more. The $86.6 million in added income is equivalent to supporting 1,664 jobs.
Students working in a lab

We support

our students and faculty with premier facilities and offer visitors a top-quality experience on our campuses.

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$52.4M
Income added to the state economy by KU’s construction spending in fiscal year 2023. KU invests in capital projects yearly to maintain its facilities, create additional capacities, and meet its growing educational demands.
$4.7B
Income added to the state economy by KU’s operations spending in fiscal year 2023.

Economic value reports

Read Lightcast’s analysis of how KU adds economic value to Kansas and the Kansas City metro area by downloading the reports below.

Full KU statewide impact report (PDF)

Learn More

KU statewide executive summary (PDF)

Learn More

Kansas City metro executive summary (PDF)

Learn More
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learn more about how ku powers kansas

Statewide Impact Map

Explore data about how KU is making a difference in Kansans’ economy, workforce, quality of life, health care, and much more.
Review statewide impact map

KU Innovation Park

KU professionals and student analysts help entrepreneurs form and register their companies, identify funding opportunities, perform market analysis, develop market strategies, and more.
Explore KU Innovation Park

Points of Distinction

Our groundbreaking research, innovation-driven partnerships, and high-earning graduates are helping to power Kansas.
Discover KU’s Points of Distinction