UTICA, NY – SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly) generated $356.8 million in economic
impact and supported 2,901 jobs across the Mohawk Valley and Central New York region during
fiscal year 2024–25, according to a new economic impact study conducted in partnership with
Lightcast, a leading provider of labor market analytics.
Released in August 2026, the study, The Economic Value of SUNY Polytechnic Institute,
examines the university’s contributions to the regional economy through its operations,
research activities, student spending, and the increased earnings and productivity of alumni. It
also evaluates the long-term financial benefits SUNY Poly provides to students, taxpayers, and
society throughout New York State.
“SUNY Poly is a powerful economic engine, driving innovation, creating opportunities, and
strengthening the communities we serve,” said SUNY Poly President Dr. Winston Soboyejo.
“Our students are our North Star, and their success extends far beyond graduation. These
findings demonstrate the lasting value of a SUNY Poly education and our continued
commitment to advancing economic growth and prosperity throughout the region.”
A Significant Contributor to the Regional Economy
The study identified several key areas contributing to SUNY Poly’s overall economic impact:
• $273.1 million in alumni impact, reflecting the increased earnings and productivity of
graduates employed throughout the region, equivalent to supporting 2,119 jobs.
• $75.6 million in operations spending impact, supporting 685 regional jobs through
university payroll, purchasing, and daily operations.
• $5.1 million in student spending impact, supporting 68 jobs through spending by
students who relocated to or remained in the region to attend SUNY Poly.
• $3 million in research spending impact, supporting 28 jobs through university research
activities.
The findings highlight the important role SUNY Poly graduates play in strengthening the
regional workforce, with alumni contributions accounting for the largest share of the
university’s overall economic impact.
Strong Returns for Students, Taxpayers, and Society
Beyond its immediate economic contributions, the study found that a SUNY Poly education
provides significant long-term financial benefits.
According to the analysis, the average SUNY Poly bachelor’s degree graduate earns $38,100
more annually than a worker with a high school diploma or equivalent in New York. Over a
working lifetime, that difference translates to approximately $1.5 million in additional
earnings.
The study also found that:
• Students receive $6.20 in higher future earnings for every $1 invested in their SUNY
Poly education, representing an average annual return of 21.5 percent.
• Taxpayers receive $1.60 in benefits for every $1 of public funding invested, through
increased tax revenues and reduced demand for government-supported services.
• Society receives $8.30 in benefits for every $1 invested, with an estimated $950.4
million in long-term statewide benefits, including increased earnings, business income,
and social savings.
The results underscore the broader value of higher education as an investment in economic
mobility, workforce readiness, and regional prosperity.
As SUNY Poly celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2026, the study reinforces the university’s
continued role in preparing a highly skilled workforce, advancing research and innovation, and
supporting economic growth throughout the Mohawk Valley, Central New York, and beyond.
The study’s findings are based on SUNY Poly’s fiscal year 2024–25 academic and financial data,
government labor market statistics, and Lightcast’s economic impact modeling.
To learn more about the recent economic impact study results, visit
https://sunypoly.edu/about/economic-impact.html.
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About SUNY Polytechnic Institute (SUNY Poly)
SUNY Polytechnic Institute, located in Utica, N.Y., is a vibrant and inclusive community where
students, faculty, and staff are empowered through a forward-looking STEAM education and
dynamic campus experience. Founded in 1966, SUNY Poly is currently celebrating its 60th
anniversary, marking six decades of impact, innovation, and service to the Mohawk Valley and
beyond. As New York State’s premier public polytechnic, SUNY Poly fosters innovation and
interdisciplinary learning across its four colleges—Arts & Sciences, Business, Engineering, and
Health Sciences—preparing graduates to lead in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
Guided by a bold vision for societal impact, SUNY Poly advances use-inspired research and
transformative collaborations that drive economic development, technological progress, and
humanitarian solutions—locally in the Mohawk Valley and globally across diverse communities. For
more info, visit http://www.sunypoly.edu.
