UNC releases economic impact report for North Carolina, UNCP
91福利导航 creates significant value for the state, region and Robeson County, according to a UNC General Administration study that was released on February 18, 2015.
The study, titled 鈥淒emonstrating the Collective Economic Value of the University of North Carolina System,鈥 examined the statewide benefits of all 16 universities and two hospitals. The study broke out UNC Pembroke鈥檚 economic impact statewide, in its nine-county regional service area and in Robeson County.
The first-ever study used data from the 2012-13 fiscal year. Companion studies released at the same time disclosed the economic impact of the state鈥檚 community colleges and private colleges and universities.
The focus of the economic impact study was on value created through operations, research, construction, medical care and student and visitor spending. The university system also creates value through its mission to increase the employability and income of its graduates.
The analysis shows that in the 2012-13 fiscal year, UNCP鈥檚 payroll and operations spending of $116.4 million, together with its construction and student, alumni and visitor spending, created a total of $389.9 million in added state income. This is the equivalent of creating 6,622 new jobs.
In UNCP鈥檚 service region 鈥 Robeson, Bladen, Columbus, Scotland, Hoke, Cumberland, Richmond, Moore and Brunswick counties 鈥 the university created $256.3 million in added regional income in 2012-13, the equivalent of 5,171 jobs.
In Robeson County, spending by UNCP created $152 million in added county income. The amount is 5.5 percent of the gross county product of Robeson and equivalent to 3,178 jobs.
UNCP students paid $28.1 million in tuition, books, fees and supplies. While students lost $102 million in wages while they were in college, their investment returned $405.5 million in estimated additional earning over their working careers.
State and local taxpayers invested $59.5 million in the operations of UNCP in 2012-13. Factoring in added taxes paid by graduates over their lifetime and savings to the public sector because of reduced demand for government-funded services, every dollar North Carolina taxpayers invested in UNCP returned $4.20 in benefits.
From an even wider perspective, every dollar that society spent on education at UNCP during 2012-13 returned $10.20 in benefits to North Carolina communities. UNC Pembroke Chancellor Kyle R. Carter said the report confirms that the university not only uplifts individuals, it uplifts entire communities.
鈥淭his study validates the state鈥檚 investment in higher education in North Carolina and demonstrates UNC Pembroke鈥檚 significant contribution to our region of the state,鈥 said Chancellor Carter. 鈥淥ur alumni, faculty, staff and students contribute daily to the economy of Robeson and surrounding counties, in addition to our role in developing an educated, engaged workforce for the community.鈥
This was the first all-inclusive study of the economic impact of higher education in North Carolina. It was compiled by Economic Modeling Specialists International using data from the community colleges and universities, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Census Bureau.
Higher education is a key economic driver in North Carolina, the study found, with business and industry relying on the state鈥檚 education institutions to produce skilled employees and foster innovation and entrepreneurship. North Carolina colleges and universities also generate strong returns on investment for students, who benefit from higher lifetime earnings, and communities across the state, which realize societal savings, according to the study.
The total impact of the higher education was $63.5 billion, and UNC system鈥檚 impact is $27.9 billion in added state income in 2013-13. There were 221,070 students in the state鈥檚 public universities, and there are 850,000 UNC system alumni living in North Carolina.
The study also found that while taxpayers invested $4.3 billion to support higher education in North Carolina during fiscal year 2012-13, the return on that investment totaled $17 billion.
For the larger study of UNC鈥檚 16 campuses, the impact of research ($1.5 billion), clinical operations of hospitals ($2.3 billion), business start-ups ($1.4 billion) and agricultural extension service ($112.1 million) were factored in.
鈥淭he UNC system is a treasure this state has built over many generations, and it has allowed North Carolina to prosper by producing great talent and attracting new businesses needed to build a strong economy and a better quality of life,鈥 said UNC President Thomas W. Ross. 鈥淎s confirmed by this study, it continues to deliver a solid and dependable return on investment for students, North Carolina communities, and the taxpayers. We are working more closely than ever before with the community colleges and the state鈥檚 private colleges and universities to leverage our respective strengths and resources for the benefit of students and the state.鈥
The full text of the UNC system report, along with statewide analysis, is available at .