Georgia Highlands College Economic Impact Exceeds $168M

CARTERSVILLE, GA — The University System of Georgia recently released the system's total economic impact on the state of Georgia. Of the more than $16.8 billion reported by the USG as a whole, Georgia Highlands College’s contribution was over $168 million.

The USG report is for fiscal year 2017, and is conducted by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business. GHC’s economic impact was $168.6 million, which represents an increase of more than $19 million from the 2016 report, the college said.

The report found these economic impacts "demonstrate that continued emphasis on colleges and universities as a pillar of the state’s economy translates into jobs, higher incomes and greater production of goods and services," GHC added in its news release.

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“As we strive to graduate more students, keep college affordable and increase the efficiency in delivering education, it’s important to keep in mind that higher education is an investment, and from these numbers it’s a smart one,” Chancellor Steve Wrigley said. “Communities across our state and the state as a whole are benefiting from the economic engine that is the USG and its 26 institutions.”

The annual study is conducted on behalf of the Board of Regents by Dr. Jeffrey M. Humphreys, director of the Selig Center. The full report, including impact by institution, is available here. Current and past studies can be reviewed here.

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