URI: Powering Rhode Island’s Future
The University of Rhode Island is a force for discovery, opportunity, and progress—across Rhode Island and around the world.
As the state’s flagship public research university and its only land-grant and sea-grant institution, URI drives innovation, develops the workforce, and fuels economic growth. Our research sparks new ideas, our graduates strengthen industries, and our partnerships with communities and businesses help the state thrive.
A new economic impact study highlights URI as one of Rhode Island’s most important engines of opportunity and prosperity, generating $2.0 billion in annual economic activity and supporting nearly 18,000 jobs—one in every 33 across the state. For every $1 invested by the State of Rhode Island, URI returns $17.39 to the state’s economy.
URI is more than a university: it is a place where discovery sparks opportunity, education opens doors, and public service strengthens the state.
Commissioned by the University of Rhode Island, the economic and community impact study was conducted by Tripp Umbach to assess the University’s total impact in Fiscal Year 2025.
$2.0 Billion Annual Economic Impact
In fiscal year 2025, URI generated $2.0 billion in total economic impact throughout the state. The return on investment of public funding for statewide economic development is outstanding. For every $1 the state invests in URI, the University generates $17.39 in economic impact for the state. This places URI in the top tier of all public universities nationally in terms of the dollars returned to its state.
$2 Billion
URI generates $2.0 billion in statewide economic activity annually
$17.39
For every $1 invested by the state, URI returns $17.39 to the state’s economy
URI’s statewide impact includes $539.9 million in direct spending, including operational expenditures, salaries, capital investments, and research. The remaining $1.46 billion accounts for indirect and induced spending, including significant expenditures by students and visitors, illustrating the broader ripple effects of the University’s presence as employees, students, and businesses throughout Rhode Island reinvest in the state’s economy.
17,799 Jobs Supported
URI’s operations directly and indirectly supported 17,799 total jobs across Rhode Island in FY25, making the University an essential generator of Rhode Island jobs, with one in every 33 jobs in the state either directly provided by URI or supported by its presence.
17,799
URI supports 17,799 jobs across Rhode Island
1 in 33
1 in every 33 jobs statewide is connected to the University
The University directly supports 5,311 employees, including faculty, researchers, administrative staff, and students. URI also supports 12,488 additional indirect or induced jobs throughout Rhode Island, across every sector.
$135.2 Million in Tax Revenue
URI generates significant state and local tax revenue, helping fund public services, infrastructure, education, and community development across Rhode Island. In FY25, the University generated $135.2 million in tax revenue for the state.
$135.2 Million
URI activity generates $135.2 million in statewide tax revenue annually
$1.17
For every $1 invested by the state, URI generates $1.17 in state tax revenue
These contributions underscore URI’s critical role in supporting essential public services and strengthening the long-term fiscal health of Rhode Island communities.
In FY25, the state invested $115.5 million in general fund support for the University, while URI generated $135.2 million in state tax revenue, yielding a return of $1.17 for every $1 invested. This net-positive fiscal impact reflects URI’s value as a public asset, driven largely by its ability to attract external research funding and spending by out-of-state students and visitors to Rhode Island.
Research Driving Innovation
URI’s research enterprise is one of Rhode Island’s most powerful drivers of long-term economic growth and competitiveness. In FY25, URI leveraged external research funding, human capital, and strategic infrastructure investments to generate high-wage employment, stimulate industry spending, and deliver sustained fiscal returns for the state.
$520.4 Million
The economic impact of URI’s research activities alone total $520.4 million annually
6,350
URI’s research activities support 6,350 jobs statewide
The $520.4 million in economic impact of URI’s research activities across Rhode Island comprised $205.9 million from direct spending and $314.5 million from indirect and induced spending. This represents approximately 25% of URI’s total economic impact on Rhode Island, which is above the national average for R1 research institutions, underscoring the vital role URI plays in driving Rhode Island’s innovation ecosystem.
Unlike short-term economic activity, research-driven growth compounds over time by attracting new funding into Rhode Island, anchoring specialized talent, and expanding innovation capacity.
Preparing Rhode Island’s Workforce
URI’s alumni network represents one of Rhode Island’s most enduring and valuable economic assets. Of more than 150,000 URI graduates nationwide, more than 67,000 call Rhode Island home, and 47,430 are currently working in Rhode Island.
47,430
47,420 working URI alumni reside in Rhode Island
$3.56 Billion
Working URI alumni generated $3.56 billion in collective earnings
In FY25 alone, the University of Rhode Island’s 47,430 working alumni residing in the state generated $3.56 billion in collective earnings, representing an economic contribution that exists above and beyond the University’s $2.0 billion annual statewide economic impact.
The Economic Heart of South County
URI’s campuses in Washington County—the Kingston and Narragansett Bay campuses—help fuel the University’s statewide ecosystem of education, research, and innovation. The region serves as a center of intellectual capital, workforce development, and applied research.
$963.4 Million
URI generates $963.4 million in Washington County economic activity annually
8,522
URI’s operations supported 8,522 total jobs in Washington County
$64.7 Million
URI generates $64.7 million in local tax revenue annually
In FY25, URI’s operations, programs, and initiatives in Washington County generated $963.4 million in total economic impact. This impact comprises $359.1 million in direct spending on salaries, capital investments, and day-to-day operations that flow directly into the Washington County economy. An additional $604.3 million is generated through indirect and induced activity, supporting jobs, retail activity, housing, and essential services.
In FY25, URI’s operations supported 8,522 total jobs in Washington County, including 2,257 direct jobs and 6,265 indirect or induced jobs created by URI’s spending and attraction of visitors.
In FY25, URI generated $64.7 million in local tax revenue, supporting essential public services such as education, transportation, and public safety throughout South County.
Impact Across Communities
URI’s commitment to service also generates substantial social value. Faculty, staff, and students contribute $38.8 million annually across the state, including $7.5 million in charitable giving and $31.2 million in volunteer service.
Other Program Highlights
URI Health Programs: Building the Workforce That Keeps Rhode Island Healthy
In FY25, URI’s health programs generated $237.3 million in statewide economic impact, including $69.8 million in direct spending and $167.5 million in indirect and induced activity. This activity supported 2,120 jobs across Rhode Island.
URI Ocean Programs: Research Anchoring Rhode Island’s Economy
URI’s ocean programs generated $125.4 million in total statewide economic impact in FY25, including $43.1 million in direct spending and $82.3 million in indirect and induced activity.
Collectively, these activities supported 1,052 jobs across Rhode Island, including 304 direct positions and 748 indirect and induced jobs, and generated $7.7 million in state and local tax revenue.
URI Athletics: Where Game Day Drives the Economy
In FY25, URI athletics generated an estimated $140.5 million in total statewide economic impact, including $19.0 million in direct spending and $121.5 million in indirect and induced activity. These activities supported 1,540 jobs across Rhode Island, including 686 direct positions and 854 indirect and induced jobs, and produced approximately $11 million in state and local tax revenue. The impacts extend well beyond event days, reflecting sustained economic activity across the hospitality, retail, media, transportation, and service sectors.