Preparatory Hall on the RSU campus in Claremore
Rogers State University generated nearly $200 million in economic activity for the State of Oklahoma in fiscal year 2024, according to a study commissioned by the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education.
The study by the University of Cincinnati Economic Center said operations at RSU, along with student and alumni spending, directly and indirectly supported more than 2,100 jobs in Oklahoma with total wages of nearly $98 million. These expenditures in turn stimulate additional economic impact resulting from increased demand, income, and jobs within other industries as well as increases in household income and spending.
“Rogers State University’s impact upon northeast Oklahoma is felt in large cities and small communities and as the university grows, its impact grows,” said Dr. Don Raleigh, president of RSU. “Our commitment to provide academic programs that will educate the workforce in high demand occupations creates the opportunity to retain and recruit companies that will grow our regional economy.”
The study showed that for every dollar of state appropriations provided to RSU, $12.64 in economic output was generated.
“RSU is providing tremendous value for taxpayers,” Raleigh said. “Investment in RSU, whether through public funding or private gifts, provides a great return.”
The economic activity generated by RSU also had an impact on tax revenue for Oklahoma, county governments and local jurisdictions in FY2024, providing nearly $6.7 million.
Local governments received more than $1 million in tax revenue with counties receiving more than $231,000, with Claremore and Rogers County receiving most of that revenue. The State of Oklahoma collected more than $5.4 million in income tax and sales tax revenue.
Read the full report on RSU’s economic impact.