CSU System Economic Impact
Numbers based on 2024 impact
Key numbers
· CSU generates 5.8x more in direct value added than it receives in state funding
o Note: the value-added impact can be decomposed into direct, indirect, and induced. As a conservative approach to distinguishing the figure from an ROI estimate, the researchers compare the direct valued added impact to the state’s funding. Be careful not to use return on investment language.
· $2.4 billion total economic output generated by the CSU System in Colorado
· $1.4 billion in value added (Gross State Product contribution)
· $982 million in labor income supported statewide
· $90 million in total tax revenue generated for state and local governments
· $1.9 billion total CSU System revenue, with the state contributing $211.6 million (11%)
· 52,000 students served annually across the CSU System
o 32,641 in-person students at CSU Fort Collins and CSU Pueblo
o 68% of students are from Colorado
· 194,000+ CSU Fort Collins alumni and 22,000+ CSU Pueblo alumni since 1980
o 61% (Fort Collins) and 74% (Pueblo) of alumni remain in Colorado
Additional impact areas
· Alumni earnings impact:
o $3 billion additional earnings (CSU Fort Collins alumni in Colorado)
o $389 million additional earnings (CSU Pueblo alumni)
· Annual research and innovation outputs:
o 103 inventions developed per year
o 155 intellectual property applications submitted annually
o 39 patents awarded annually
o 69 startup companies created since 1997
· Extension and statewide impact:
o Presence in all Colorado counties
o 284 faculty and staff supporting communities statewide
· CSU System scale:
o $1.7 billion operating budget
o 9,000+ employees
General talking points
· CSU System generates $2.4 billion in annual economic output, reinforcing its role as a major statewide economic engine.
· The university system supports nearly 12,000 jobs across Colorado, even under a more conservative methodology.
· CSU System delivers a strong direct impact to valued added – 5.8x value for every dollar of state funding.
o “Value added” is equivalent to “Gross State Product (GSP)” and can be used interchangeably, if preferred (e.g. “strong GSP impact”)
· CSU System’s core economic impact remains strong and multi-billion-dollar under stricter assumptions.
· The university continues to drive innovation at scale, producing 100+ inventions annually.
· CSU maintains a strong pipeline of intellectual property, patents, and startups, supporting industry growth.
· Research and commercialization efforts continue to fuel Colorado’s economy and competitiveness.
· CSU serves ~52,000 students annually, maintaining a significant talent pipeline for the state. Enrollment has moderated from prior years, reflecting post-pandemic and national higher ed trends. Despite this, CSU’s economic and research impact has remained resilient.
· CSU is a high-impact institution that delivers economic growth, innovation, and workforce development for Colorado.
Methodology
· The latest report uses a more rigorous, conservative and easily replicated methodology, focused on new dollars entering Colorado.
· This updated approach makes the findings more precise, credible, and defensible.
· Compared to 2021, the report shifts from a broad, long-term impact model to a focused annual economic impact model. As a result, some metrics appear lower, but this reflects methodology changes, not reduced impact.
· Earlier figures included alumni earnings and knowledge spillovers, which are not counted in the 2024 totals.
Learn More: https://source.colostate.edu/economic-impact-report-2026/