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University Coalition Report Touts $42B In Economic Impact

Inter-University Council of Ohio presents the results of a study on economic impact.
Andy Chow
Inter-University Council of Ohio presents the results of a study on economic impact.

A coalition of public universities is touting a study that says income from schools, their students and alumni adds up to $42 billion pumped into the state’s economy. 

The Inter-University Council of Ohio says a public university student ends up making more than $4 for every $1 spent on tuition.

The group’s Bruce Johnson highlights that state taxpayers see a more than 8% return on investment for funding public universities. And Johnson says the state sees the biggest losses when money goes to a student who ends up dropping out, so he’s arguing for increased funding in specific areas.

“Make it easier for the students who are most financially at risk, that if their car breaks down or they had a hard time making rent last month all of the sudden they drop out and they don’t come back and those are the students that need the most support,” says Johnson.

Sen. Randy Gardner (R-Bowling Green), chair of the Senate Finance Higher Education Subcommittee says this will be an important study to keep in mind as they reevaluate college funds.

Copyright 2018 The Statehouse News Bureau

Andy Chow is a general assignment state government reporter who focuses on environmental, energy, agriculture, and education-related issues. He started his journalism career as an associate producer with ABC 6/FOX 28 in Columbus before becoming a producer with WBNS 10TV.