Education

Five things to know about economic impact of Georgia’s public colleges

University of Georgia students walk on the Baldwin Street Steps on campus between classes. There were nearly 9,500 jobs on campus there in fiscal year 2018, according to a study by the university’s Selig Center for Economic Growth.

University of Georgia students walk on the Baldwin Street Steps on campus between classes. There were nearly 9,500 jobs on campus there in fiscal year 2018, according to a study by the university’s Selig Center for Economic Growth.
By
Aug 21, 2019

The University System of Georgia released its annual report Tuesday detailing the economic impact of its 26 colleges and universities on the state.

Here are five interesting numbers from the 25-page report, written by the University of Georgia’s Selig Center for Economic Growth. It’s based on fiscal year 2018.

$17.7 billion - the total estimated economic impact of the schools in Georgia, which includes jobs, the production of goods and services, research, campus construction projects and money spent by students.

The Aspen Heights Georgia State University off-campus housing unit (right) is under construction across the street from the Georgia State Stadium, both along Georgia Avenue, in the Summerhill community of Atlanta, Wednesday, March 27, 2019. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

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168,284 - the number of on-campus and off-campus jobs involving those schools.

3.7 - the percentage of all non farm-related jobs involving the University System of Georgia.

9,479 - the number of on-campus jobs at the University of Georgia, most in the system.

$4.6 billion - student personal spending.

Kennesaw State University football players and students celebrate their win over Jacksonville State University at SunTrust Park, Saturday, Nov. 17, 2018, in Atlanta. Kennesaw won in overtime, 60-52. University System of Georgia students spent an estimated $4.6 billion during the 2018 fiscal year, according to a new report by the system. (Annie Rice/AJC)

Credit: Annie Rice

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Credit: Annie Rice

About the Author

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Eric Stirgus joined The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in 2001. He is the newsroom's education editor. Born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y., Eric is active in the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists and the Education Writers Association and enjoys mentoring aspiring journalists.

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