Texas Southern University reports $1.6B economic impact
A new report highlights TSU's billion-dollar economic footprint and long-term value to Texas communities statewide.
Black News 
As Texas Southern University approaches its centennial in 2027, a new economic impact report revealed that the university generates $1.6 billion in annual economic impact and supports 15,676 jobs across Brazoria, Fort Bend, Galveston, and Harris counties. It is a baseline from
which TSU aims to expand workforce development and long-term economic mobility through its “Ascend 2030” strategic plan.
“This report demonstrates that our impact extends far beyond the classroom,” said TSU President J.W. Crawford III. “Every graduate, every research breakthrough, and every partnership contributes to a stronger workforce, a more competitive economy, and a talent-strong Texas.”
The report also arrives as TSU works to rebuild trust on the financial side, following a December 2025 state audit that flagged significant weaknesses in the university’s procurement and financial reporting practices. It is an effort now central to the university’s “Operation Tiger Reset” remediation push.
What generates this impact?
Developed using labor market data, the report breaks the University’s impact into six categories:
- Alumni impact: $1.3 billion in contributions from TSU graduates in Houston through workforce participation (80% of the overall economic footprint)
- Operations spending: $174 million in regional economic activity, driven by payroll and spending on facilities and supplies
- Student spending: ~$62 million through daily living expenses
- Research activity: ~$21 million in economic value
- Visitor spending: ~$19 million from out-of-region visitors
- Construction spending: $2 million in capital project expenditures
Raijanel S. Crockem, Ed.D., TSU’s senior associate vice president, said the university’s economic impact comprises alumni data over multiple years, who continue to reside in the university’s service areas.
“Historically, academic programs in business, biology, computer science, law, and psychology are our largest degree-granting programs,” Crockem said in a statement to the Defender. “Specific sectors of our graduates have meaningful impact on professional and technical sectors, which include business and computer science, political areas at the state and city level, education, as well as health care, social assistance, and legal fields.”
Established partnerships with K-12 education programs also contribute to the regional economy, Crockem added.
Per the report, the university impact supported:
- Professional and technical services: ~2,00 jobs
- Health care and social assistance: 1,750 jobs
- Arts, entertainment, and recreation: 1,267 jobs
- Retail trade: 1,173 jobs
- Other services: 1,031 jobs
What’s the return on investment?
The report also evaluates TSU as an investment for three groups: students, taxpayers, and society.
- Students: For the 9,393 students TSU served in the 2023-24 academic year, the total investment, including tuition, fees, books, supplies, loan interest, and forgone earnings, came to a present value of $129 million. In return, those students are projected to receive $888 million in cumulative higher future earnings. Or, roughly $7 in higher future earnings for every dollar a student invests.
- Taxpayers: Taxpayers benefitting from added tax revenue and reduced demand for public services will earn $3.4 for every public dollar invested.
- Society: Residents will see $13 in benefits, driven by increased earnings and reduced public spending on health care and social services.
Long-term economic mobility
Crockem frames the impact within a broader conversation about economic mobility, particularly for the Black and Hispanic students the university serves, including the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, one of TSU’s most diverse programs.
“Across racial lines, as a community, everyone benefits from a more educated population.”
Raijanel S. Crockem, Texas Southern University’s senior associate vice president
Citing U.S. Census Bureau data, officials point out that a bachelor’s degree raises average annual earnings to roughly $80,000, up from about $48,000 for a high school diploma, with graduate and professional degrees pushing salaries past $100,000.
“In addition to the economic impact of our graduates, there is also a social impact,” Crockem said. “From a taxpayer perspective, better financially supported communities experience less crime and more community involvement. This means that across racial lines, as a community, everyone benefits from a more educated population. Education can be the resource to reduce income gaps of those who are from traditionally underserved communities.”
What’s next?
TSU says it plans to strengthen its data collection efforts to build an even clearer picture of its regional contributions.
The report’s release comes as Texas Southern approaches its 100th anniversary in 2027 and continues to implement its Ascend 2030 strategic plan, which emphasizes student success and institutional impact.
