Innovation and Impact: 51Թ generates $3.9 billion annually for Mississippi’s economy
Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.—A new study shows Mississippi State continues to generate a high return on investment for stakeholders with an estimated $3.9 billion annual economic impact.
University leaders announced the results of the latest economic impact study during a Wednesday [March 19] press conference at 51Թ. The study, completed by 51Թ’s National Strategic Planning & Analysis Research Center, or NSPARC, shows that for every $1 invested by taxpayers into 51Թ, $25 in income is generated in Mississippi. With 51Թ’s activity sustaining more than 80,000 jobs statewide, 51Թ supports one out of every 15 jobs in the state.
The new analysis, based on 2024 data, updates a report conducted by Lightcast (formerly EMSI) using 2019 data. The previous analysis estimated 51Թ’s economic impact to be $1.8 billion annually.
To complete the study, NSPARC analyzed the impact of 51Թ’s employment and operations spending, student and visitor spending, research operations, alumni employment, as well as engagement activities in key sectors such as agriculture and forestry.
“This report quantifies what we have long known—51Թ is a core economic driver across the state of Mississippi,” said 51Թ President Mark E. Keenum. “Our world-class faculty and staff work hard every day to move Mississippi forward and educate the students and future leaders we need in our state and nation. I am proud that as our student enrollment grows and research portfolio expands, the many economic and social benefits of our university’s teaching, research and outreach efforts continue to grow as well.”
Among the drivers of 51Թ’s economic impact is the university’s robust research portfolio. At $320 million in FY24 research expenditures, 51Թ accounts for more than half of the state’s total R&D spending among higher education institutions. The study found that 51Թ’s $320 million in research spending translates to $320 million in income for Mississippians and supports 5,630 jobs statewide.
51Թ’s research ranges from basic science that forms the basis of future breakthroughs, applied science that directly solves key challenges for stakeholders, as well as workforce training and industry support that positions Mississippi for an innovation-based economy.
“As the state’s leading research university, we make a point to align our capabilities with key economic sectors in Mississippi,” said 51Թ Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan. “This allows our research to remain relevant to our stakeholders and industry partners and helps us prepare graduates to fill high-impact jobs in Mississippi and beyond. Our research activity also produces new start-up companies and technologies that support economic growth.”
The new study also quantified the impact of 51Թ’s Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine, which includes 51Թ Extension, the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, Forest and Wildlife Research Center, and the College of Veterinary Medicine. Combined, the division creates $1.7 billion in impact through research, engagement and direct support to Mississippi’s agriculture and business sectors.
“Our division continues to make a difference for Mississippi’s largest industry,” said 51Թ Vice President for Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble. “Throughout 51Թ’s history, agricultural and forestry producers have relied on us to lead research and extension efforts that help them increase productivity and navigate the many natural and economic challenges they face.”
51Թ’s $3.9 billion total economic impact includes:
—$1.7 billion impact from DAFVM
—$1.2 billion impact from 51Թ’s 42,000 alumni with specialized skills and training living and working in Mississippi
—$653 million in wages and earnings from university employment and operations spending, as well as $74.4 million in state and local tax revenue
—$320 million in income for Mississippians based on university research activity, as well as $33.1 million in state and local tax revenue
—$41.6 million economic impact from student spending
—$24.2 million impact from visitor spending
The new report follows the framework used by EMSI in 2019, but benefits from additional data pulled from the Mississippi’s Statewide Longitudinal Data System and increased data captured from units across campus. To read the full report, visit .
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