Wright State University Drives Economic Development in Dayton

Erin Pence

Created specifically to meet the need for a highly developed labor force in the Dayton region, Wright State University has been steadily driving economic growth since its founding in 1967. And that impact just keeps growing. 

An independent study conducted in 2023 by Lightcast showed that Wright State adds $2.3 billion annually to the region’s economy and supports nearly 28,000 jobs. According to the report, the university’s economic impact increased by more than 53% between 2016 and 2021. 

Ohio’s Top Public University

“We have businesses coming to the area specifically because they know that Wright State can help build their employee base and provide the type of skilled workforce they need,” says Kim Gilliam, director of career education and success. “Our students have endless opportunities for internships, research and other practical learning experiences because of the rapport we have with employers in the region and state.” 

William Jones

In 2024, The Wall Street Journal named Wright State the top public university in Ohio for social mobility, a ranking that includes how much the institution boosts its graduates’ lifetime earnings. More than 77% of those who earn degrees at Wright State stay in the region. 

“We’re outperforming every other four-year public university in the state of Ohio,” says Susan Schaurer, vice president for enrollment management and marketing. “We are taking students who don’t come from affluent socioeconomic backgrounds and giving them access to higher education. We are meeting them where they are.” 

Innovative Programs for Groundbreaking Research

A Carnegie-classified research university, Wright State is proud of its students who conduct groundbreaking research on a broad range of topics that impact everyday life, like amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and advanced air mobility, or the use of small electric vehicles that can take off and land vertically to move people and cargo that are not conveniently served by surface transportation or existing aviation. Further, Wright State boasts the feats of its innovative graduates, who have helped develop everything from drone delivery for Kroger to the PCR test used during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the technology behind Alexa, Amazon’s voice AI. 

Erin Pence

“We partner closely with industry and community leaders to ensure our students are ready on day one as they begin their careers,” says Wright State University President Susan Edwards, Ph.D. “We are constantly evolving so our students have access to innovative, in-demand programs where cutting-edge technologies are being utilized and advanced every day. At Wright State, every student can follow their dreams to success, regardless of where they begin.” 

Erin Pence

Unparalleled Opportunities Through Local Partnerships

• Building on solid engineering technology and computer science training opportunities with Wright-Patterson Air Force Base (WPAFB), a newly expanded agreement offers researchers from WPAFB more access to Wright State’s offices and labs while giving students hands-on experience through various internships and research projects. 
• Strengthening a decades-long partnership with Premier Health, the largest comprehensive health system in Southwest Ohio, the two entities recently entered into a 30-year agreement to develop an academic medical center with Wright State Boonshoft School of Medicine and Miami Valley Hospital. The initiative aims to produce more health care providers, spur new research opportunities and give patients better access to care closer to home. 
• A partnership with Dayton Children’s Hospital gives Wright State students training and residency opportunities for careers in pediatrics. In addition, a new military scholarship helps offset costs for active service members and complements the Veteran and Military Center, which opened on-site in 2014. 

For more information about Wright State University, visit wright.edu.