Education
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)
icon to expand image

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

icon to expand image

Credit: Annie Rice

About the Author

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.

Follow Eric Stirgus on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

DeKalb County School District officials were exploring whether it made more sense to build a brand new Druid Hills High at a different location. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman

DeKalb officials recommend keeping Druid Hills High School where it is

The tentative plan would be to tear down most of the existing school.

International student enrollment slows at Georgia universities

It is not yet clear if the slowdown in Georgia is an anomaly or a sign of things to come.

UGA to pay $100K H-1B visa fee only ‘in exceptional circumstances’

The University of Georgia could soon limit the number of foreign workers it employs, a result of the $100,000 fee imposed on some H-1B visas.

The Latest

DeKalb County School District officials were exploring whether it made more sense to build a brand new Druid Hills High at a different location. (Jenni Girtman for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Credit: Jenni Girtman

DeKalb officials recommend keeping Druid Hills High School where it is

UGA to pay $100K H-1B visa fee only ‘in exceptional circumstances’

International student enrollment slows at Georgia universities

Featured

Prosecutor Skandalakis has previously suggested that pursuing criminal charges against President Donald Trump may not be feasible until after he leaves office in 2029. (Craig Hudson/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Credit: Bloomberg via Getty Images

Prosecutor takes helm of Georgia case against Trump. But will he move forward?

A veteran Georgia prosecutor will decide the fate of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies.

With some solar power tax breaks expiring, Georgians rush to catch the sun

Georgia solar installers say they’re seeing a surge of customers trying to install rooftop solar systems before federal tax credits go away at the end of the year.

‘Automatic for the People’: Weaver D’s still bonds Athens as era nears end

After feeding everyone from R.E.M. to Brian Kemp, and coining a phrase that went global, Dexter Weaver is preparing to close his storied Athens soul food restaurant.