Temple University takes pride in its role as Philadelphia’s Public Research University. But together with Temple Health, the university is also one of Philadelphia’s most significant economic engines.
Together, Temple and Temple Health are the fourth-largest employer in the city. Temple’s total impact on Pennsylvania’s economy is $11.1 billion as the institutions support nearly 52,000 jobs—both directly and indirectly—with more than $4.6 billion in employee compensation according to an economic impact study recently commissioned by the university. The report, titled “Economic and Social Impact of Temple University: A Philadelphia-Rooted Academic, Healthcare and Research Institution,” was completed by Econsult Solutions, Inc.
Just within the City of Philadelphia, Temple and Temple Health generate almost $7.7 billion in economic impact, sustaining 1 in every 15 jobs within the city. Nearly 48,000 jobs are supported across the greater Philadelphia region.
“Temple and Temple Health are two of Philadelphia’s most important anchor institutions, and this economic impact study is the latest evidence of that,” Temple President John Fry said. “Temple is a force multiplier in the city, region and the Commonwealth, and our impact will further grow in the years to come as we begin the implementation process of our strategic plan, Forward with Purpose.”
While Temple’s home is Philadelphia, its impact goes beyond that, and one of the areas that is most evident is its research output. As an R1 institution, Temple’s annual research expenditures well exceed $300 million. Approximately 67% of that research funding originates outside Pennsylvania, illustrating how Temple brings in more than $200 million in funding to the region.
Temple Health has also expanded significantly in recent years. In addition to its primary facility at Temple University Hospital, the health system operates additional clinical and specialized care facilities, like Temple Chestnut Hill Hospital, Temple Women’s and Families Hospital and world-renowned Fox Chase Cancer Center.
Temple Health operates 990 licensed beds and serves the community with 1.6 million outpatient visits, 37,000 admissions, 23,000 inpatient and outpatient surgeries and 340 organ transplants annually. In 2025, Temple Health performed more lung transplants than any health system in the country, with 179 procedures in a single calendar year.
“Temple Health occupies a unique role as both a destination for advanced, complex care, and as an integral community health partner providing critical services to patients across the region,” said Abhi Rastogi, MBA, MIS, President and CEO of Temple Health. “Alongside the University, we’re focused on purposeful growth that expands access to life-changing care, remains rooted in the communities we serve, and stays at the leading edge of clinical excellence and scientific impact.”
The economic impact report also illustrates how Temple helps power the Commonwealth. Temple’s 380,000-plus alumni include more than 200,000 who live in Pennsylvania and earn an estimated $2.5 billion due in part to their Temple education.
Temple also provides a tremendous return on investment to Pennsylvania. As a state-related institution, Temple receives an annual appropriation each year, most recently $158.2 million, which it uses to provide its more than 20,000 undergraduate in-state residents with at least a $15,000 annual discount on tuition. According to the economic impact study, Temple delivers $168 in statewide economic impact for every $1 in appropriated funding to the university.
Additionally, Temple’s thousands of employees generate substantial tax revenue—$276 million annually for Pennsylvania and $160 million for Philadelphia—representing $1 out of every $173 in the Commonwealth’s General Fund and $1 out of every $40 in Philadelphia’s General Fund.