What UW means to the state? $9.1 billion

The University of Washington's economic impact on the state each year is $9.1 billion, according to a study commissioned by the UW to quantify the institution's benefit to the state.

In its report, consulting agency Tripp Umbach found that the UW employs 29,000 people and is the state's third-largest employer — behind Boeing and Microsoft. The report said the UW is responsible for employing 6 percent of the entire Seattle labor force.

However, whether the UW can fairly be compared with private companies remains a point of debate. After all, most UW workers are, in fact, employees of the state of Washington.

The report, commissioned to "better articulate the benefits of a global research institution" was sought to emphasize the importance of the UW at a time when it faces cutbacks and the likelihood of a brutal state budget session next year.

Tripp Umbach found that each year, the UW generates $4 billion in direct economic activity and $5.1 billion in indirect activity. UW Medicine — which includes two hospitals and a medical school — accounted for 45 percent of that total. An additional 33 percent came from research, while 22 percent came from the undergraduate program and other operations.

Each dollar spent by the state on the UW generates $1.48 in tax revenue, according to Tripp Umbach, which said it used UW data and its own national databases to come up with the numbers.

The UW is planning a media briefing on the report Wednesday and will present it to the Board of Regents on Thursday.

Nick Perry: 206-515-5639 or nperry@seattletimes.com