Cornell University says its economic footprint across Tompkins County and the surrounding region continued expanding in 2025, fueled by payroll, student spending, startup investment and millions directed toward local education initiatives.
A new Local Economic Snapshot released by the university shows Cornell employed more than 11,000 full-time workers during the 2025 fiscal year, alongside roughly 13,000 part-time, temporary and student employees supported by a payroll totaling $1.36 billion.
University officials said Cornell’s 25,816 students spent an estimated $452 million locally on housing, food, transportation and services, while university purchasing and construction activity added hundreds of millions more to the regional economy.
According to the report, Cornell spent $206 million on goods and services from vendors in Tompkins County and neighboring areas, along with another $115 million on construction projects involving local and regional firms.
Cornell University also highlighted what it described as major investments in local education and workforce development.
The university said it directed $9.5 million in need-based scholarships and grants to Tompkins County students enrolled at Cornell, including support tied to programs like the Science and Technology Entry Program, or STEP, which helps local students pursue STEM-related education and careers.
The federally funded Upward Bound program additionally provided college preparation support to students from several rural school districts across the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, including Candor, Dryden, Elmira, Groton, Newfield and Spencer-Van Etten.
University officials said Cornell contributed another $11 million toward governments, housing, transit, nonprofits and community initiatives. That included $4 million for public transit, $500,000 for affordable housing and $1.7 million toward K-12 education and childcare-related support.
Kyle Kimball said the university views its educational investments as part of a broader regional partnership.
“Cornell’s leadership and campus community are committed to supporting our local and regional K-12 education partners and their students,” Kimball said in the report.
The snapshot also pointed to continued growth in Cornell’s startup and business incubator ecosystem. Companies associated with Rev: Ithaca Startup Works, the Center for Life Science Ventures and the Praxis Center for Venture Development raised a combined $34 million in capital during 2025.
Across those programs, 53 firms now support 377 local jobs, including 132 created over the last year, according to Cornell.
The university additionally reported paying $4.4 million in property taxes tied to Cornell-related properties, including $2.8 million in school taxes, as well as $6.2 million in municipal fees covering services like water, sewer and stormwater infrastructure.
Officials said university-related tourism and events also generated an estimated 288,000 overnight stays in the region during the year, with visitor spending topping at least $46 million.
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