Skip to main content
Presidential Search

Economic and Innovative Impact

Economic Impact

West Virginia University has a significant economic impact on the state of West Virginia, accounting for 3.8% of the state’s gross domestic product.

Job Creation

WVU’s campuses, medical facilities and out-of-state students produce over 30,000 jobs — supporting 20% of the North Central West Virginia workforce.

Economic Activity

WVU’s economic activity contributes over $4.8 billion to the region’s economy each year. For every $1 invested by the State, $20 is returned in economic activity.

Tax Revenue

WVU’s economic activity generates $66 million in tax revenue for the State of West Virginia.

Global Reach

WVU faculty conduct research and teach in 76 countries across six continents, contributing to advancements in fields like healthcare, engineering, agriculture and sustainable development.

Community and Economic Development

In true lockstep with our land-grant mission, WVU has a long history of bolstering community and economic development in every corner of our state. Our stories are rich and bounteous.

Attracting Top Talent

  • Partnering with the nation’s premier talent attraction program, ASCEND WV, which has received 50,500+ applications, a 97% retention rate and soon will have over a half a billion dollars in economic impact on the state.

Bolstering Economic, Entrepreneurial and Business Success

Educating the Next Generation

Addressing West Virginia and Worldwide Challenges

WE R1: WHERE RESEARCH HAPPENS

WVU is one of only 146 colleges and universities to attain an R1 ranking – very high research activity – by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. The designation is the most elite for research-focused institutions.

Our research spans the spectrum from cosmology to mycology, from creating new works to studying ancient ones and from maximizing artificial intelligence to community development. And our researchers solve problems of both immediate and long-term impact to improve the lives of those across the globe.

As pioneers in invention, innovation and research, we continue to crush our own record in research expenditures. In 2024, WVU received $275 million in research funding – an 82% increase from five years ago.

Research Our Research