Washington University in St. Louis contributed $9.8 billion to the regional economy in fiscal year 2025, according to the university.
WashU said it directly generated $4.1 billion in economic activity, including $2.6 billion in employee salaries, $334 million spent on local goods and services and $196 million on construction projects.
Students spent an additional $217 million at businesses across the St. Louis region, the university reported.
WashU also brought more than $1 billion in external research funding to the area, supporting research in medicine, technology and public health.
With 23,434 employees, WashU is the second-largest employer in the St. Louis region.
University officials said each dollar the university spends locally generates an additional $1.25 in regional economic activity, reflecting WashU’s role as a major employer, research institution and driver of business activity in the St. Louis area.