Economic Impact

At Minnesota State University, Mankato a hands-on approach to education demonstrates how big ideas translate into inspired actions.


Students participate in faculty-led research as well as project-based learning opportunities with community partners. With approximately 130 undergraduate programs and 85 graduate programs, Minnesota State Mankato offers the amenities and scope of a larger institution with the tailored support of a smaller school. Minnesota State Mankato attracts students from nearly 100 countries and is nationally ranked for its large population of international students. An aviation program that partners with national airlines and a nursing simulation center that works with local health care providers to provide training demonstrate how Minnesota State Mankato finds innovative ways to serve the community.

Contributing to the Minnesota Economy

  • Minnesota State University, Mankato generates an annual economic impact of $827.2 million. This includes a direct impact of $454.4 million and an indirect/induced impact of $372.7 million.

  • Spending on operations and capital projects generates $456 million of the total impact, and student and visitor spending generates $371.2 million.

Supporting and Sustaining Jobs in the State

Minnesota State University, Mankato supports and sustains 5,884 Minnesota jobs (3,951 direct and 1,933 indirect/induced). These jobs are the university and in the community –1,545 direct jobs are employees of Minnesota State University, Mankato.

Infographic: Minnesota State University, Mankato generates $827.2M in economic impact annually—$59.1M in state and local revenue, $9.6M in community contributions, $1.9B alumni impact generated annually, Supports and sustains 5,884 jobs

Generating Local and State Tax Revenue

The combined tax impact of Minnesota State University, Mankato, its suppliers, students and visitors is $59.1 million. This includes a direct impact of $36.5 million and indirect/induced impact of $22.6 million.

Alumni in the State Generate Additional Impact

An estimated 82,872 Minnesota State University, Mankato alumni living and working in Minnesota are continuing to make a positive economic impact after graduation. These graduates are an integral part of the Minnesota workforce, impacting the economy not only through their spending but also through the extra earning power generated by their Minnesota State University, Mankato degree.

Each year, Minnesota State University, Mankato alumni generate $1.9 billion in economic impact for Minnesota, support and sustain 10,374 jobs. Over their 40-year career, Minnesota State University, Mankato alumni will generate $76.6 billion in the economy. These impacts are based on the added value of earning a degree from Minnesota State University, Mankato, not alumni full wages. This impact is based upon the total number of alumni in Minnesota 10 years after graduation.

Making a Difference in the Community and State

Signature events held at Minnesota State University, Mankato invite community members to campus to learn about and celebrate themes relevant to the college and the community.

  • For nearly fifty years, the university has hosted an annual Pan African Conference, which brings speakers to campus to discuss a central theme, such as equity in education.
  • In addition, the university hosts the Mankato Area International Festival where cultures of the university’s many international students are shared with members of the community through music, fashion, and food.

Charitable Contributions

An estimated $9,594,514 in charitable donations and volunteer services are generated annually by faculty, staff, and students.

  • $1,495,701 donated to local charitable organizations by faculty, staff, and students.
  • $8,098,813 of volunteer time by faculty, staff, and students.

Download the full Minnesota State Mankato economic impact report

For the full economic contribution analysis of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, visit the Minnesota State Impact website.

Report prepared by Parker Philips, January 2023