As the state’s flagship public research institution, the University of Rhode Island offers its undergraduate, graduate, and professional students unique educational opportunities designed to meet the global challenges of today’s world and the rapidly evolving needs of tomorrow. Its educational, research, outreach, and economic development programs contribute significantly to the health and vitality of our state.
Economic Impact
In fiscal year 2019, the University’s impact on Rhode Island’s economy was considerable. Through the multiplier effect, for every dollar contributed by the state, the University generated $6.25 in statewide economic output.
URI, directly and indirectly, generated $824.6 million in statewide economic activity, supported 8,097 jobs, and provided $418.6 million in wages. This included spending nearly $167.7 million on the purchase of goods and services and $150.6 million on the construction and renovation of campus facilities, of which approximately $71.1 million (42.4%) and $133 million (88.3%) was provided to Rhode Island businesses, respectively. URI is also one of the largest employers in the state, employing a total of 3,818 people, an increase of 4.6% (168 jobs) since the fall of 2011.
The University was also a significant generator of revenues from outside the state. URI’s revenues totaled nearly $545.3 million, with approximately 51 percent derived from sources outside of Rhode Island. Student tuition and fees accounted for 53.5 percent of total revenues, of which out-of-state students accounted for about 60 percent of all tuition and fee income. State appropriations and state and local government grants and contracts accounted for approximately 17 percent.
Job Growth
Investment in URI’s Bay Campus will transform the state. The passage of Question 1 will unlock opportunities for promising and well-paying jobs for all Rhode Islanders, including thousands of jobs in construction and manufacturing — combined with workforce, career development, and training programs for people transitioning out of other industries. Furthermore, approval of Question 1 will support Rhode Island’s ocean economy, which includes renewable energy, defense, tourism, and fisheries. These industries add more than $5 billion to the Rhode Island economy and this number is expected to double by the end of the decade. URI’s Bay Campus can be the hub that helps to create sustainable and equitable ocean economy jobs of the future as well as opportunities for all Rhode Islanders.
Attract and Retain
Development of the Bay Campus will have a profound impact on URI, the state’s flagship research institution. Supporting Question 1 will allow URI to attract and retain top faculty, students, and companies who do vital research. This will lead to hundreds of millions of dollars in grants, private investment and industry partnerships that will be attracted to Rhode Island and invested in the state.