University of Wisconsin-Platteville Releases New Economic Impact Numbers

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville has announced groundbreaking results from its comprehensive 2025 Economic Impact Study, revealing that for every dollar invested by the state in UW-Platteville, Wisconsin gains an impressive annual $2.19 in tax revenue, representing a remarkable 119% return on investment. UW-Platteville Chancellor Tammy Evetovich shared these findings at the "Evening of Impact" event held Thursday, April 2, on campus, highlighting the university's vital role as a catalyst for regional prosperity, workforce development and social mobility across southwest Wisconsin and beyond.

Addressing a distinguished audience of legislators, government officials, community leaders, K-12 partners, alumni, students and local business owners, Chancellor Evetovich emphasized UW-Platteville's enduring commitment to community partnership and regional vitality. "These results reaffirm what many of us have seen firsthand, that UW-Platteville is a dynamic engine driving economic growth, educational opportunities and social mobility," she stated.

The study underscores that UW-Platteville's operations and students support over 1,500 jobs and generate nearly $300 million annually in local economic activity. Additionally, approximately 18,000 alumni residing in Wisconsin earn more than $1.7 billion in personal income each year, demonstrating the university's far-reaching influence.

On a broader scale, within the Tri-State area served by UW-Platteville, the spending power of the 21,600 alumni living and working locally results in an extra $660 million in economic activity and supports nearly 4,000 jobs. Of that, UW-Platteville alumni contribute $551 million in economic output for Wisconsin alone.

While highlighting these impressive financial returns, Chancellor Evetovich also emphasized the human impact behind the numbers-teachers shaping future generations, engineers designing infrastructure, entrepreneurs launching startups and graduates building families and communities. "These figures are more than statistics-they are stories of personal and professional impact," she remarked.

Recognizing the evolving landscape of higher education and regional needs, UW-Platteville views these findings as a catalyst for future growth. The university is committed to expanding its educational outreach, strengthening industry partnerships and ensuring that regional talent remains and thrives within the area.

Thursday evening's roundtable discussions fostered open dialogue, with Evetovich expressing a desire to listen and collaborate. "We want to understand your perspectives, identify gaps and explore opportunities to strengthen the pipeline from education to employment and regional prosperity," she said.

Key topics discussed included how UW-Platteville will leverage this data to attract more students, support faculty and engage residents and policymakers. The university plans to enhance its marketing efforts by highlighting the tangible economic benefits of a UW-Platteville education-covering affordability, personalized learning, wage earning outcomes for graduates and community impact.

Founded in 1866, UW-Platteville's mission remains unchanged: to serve rural communities and foster sustained economic vitality. The university aims to use this data to guide strategic initiatives, improve outreach and reinforce its role as a cornerstone of regional development. "What has changed is the scale of our impact and the urgency of continuing to meet the moment," Evetovich noted. Hence, the university's leadership is dedicated to ongoing collaboration, establishing clear goals and measuring success through shared commitments-striving to maintain momentum and create a stronger region for generations to come.

Since 1866, UW-Platteville has remained committed to empowering students, strengthening communities and driving regional prosperity. As a public institution dedicated to accessible, high-quality education, UW-Platteville proudly serves as a vital economic and social engine in southwest Wisconsin and the broader Tri-State Region.

For more information, or to review the UW-Platteville 2025 Economic Impact Study, visit uwplatt.edu/economic-impact. Then follow us on Facebook at facebook.com/UWPlatteville and on Twitter @UWPlatteville.