As the fourth-largest employer in Greater Philadelphia, Temple University and Health system is among Pennsylvania’s most significant anchor institutions. Temple engaged ESI to quantify the comprehensive economic impact of Temple University and Temple Health with the city, regional, and state economies. The study assessed Temple’s contributions through four channels of economic activity: annual operations, capital investments, ancillary spending by students, patients, visitors, and athletics attendees, and the enhanced earning potential of Temple graduates.
ESI applied IMPLAN input-output modeling to translate Temple’s direct economic activity into total economic output, employment, earnings, and tax revenue impacts. Institutional data provided by Temple and verified public sources, drawn primarily from fiscal year 2024 datasets, served as the primary inputs. The methodology captured direct impacts from Temple’s spending and operations, indirect impacts through supply chain activity, and induced impacts from employee and contractor spending in the local economy. The study encompassed Temple as a consolidated entity including both the academic institution and health system, with fiscal revenues recorded separately for each impact category and results expressed at each of the three geographic scales.
The study found that Temple generates $11.1 billion in total economic impact across Pennsylvania, supporting nearly 52,000 jobs with over $4.6 billion in employee compensation. Within Philadelphia, the institution generates almost $7.7 billion in economic impact, sustaining approximately 1 in every 15 jobs in the city. Despite its tax-exempt status, Temple generates $276 million annually in tax revenues for Pennsylvania and $160 million for the City of Philadelphia. For every $1 the Commonwealth invests in Temple through its $66 million annual appropriation, the institution produces $168 in statewide economic impact. This study provided Temple with an evidence-based to incorporate into its ongoing stakeholder and community advocacy efforts.