Colorado University System Generates $12.5B Economic Impact

The University of Colorado system generated an estimated $12.5 billion in Colorado economic activity in fiscal year 2025–26, rising to $20.3 billion when its affiliated hospitals are included; the university and hospitals supported nearly 103,000 jobs statewide. CU Anschutz and CU Boulder accounted for the largest campus impacts, while research spending contributed an estimated $5.4 billion. Midwestern University separately reported a combined $1.2 billion contribution to local economies around its Illinois and Arizona campuses in 2023–24, through operations, spending by students and employees, and visitor activity. In Arizona, a Helios Education Foundation report estimates that reaching a 60% postsecondary attainment rate among the state’s 2026 high school graduates could produce $11.1 billion in lifetime economic benefits, including $3.75 billion in fiscal gains; these are projections for one graduating class, not guaranteed or annual gains.