According to a recently released report from the University System of Georgia (USG), Augusta University and AU Health have provided a $2.94 billion boost to Georgia’s economy in the 2022 fiscal year.
According to a recent press release from Augusta University, the impact includes $40.2 million and 286 jobs added by the AU and University of Georgia’s medical partnerships on the Athens campus.
There was also a $8.6 million boost as a result of the project providing 69 jobs from the various clinical campuses, located in the Southwest campus of Albany, the Southeast campus in Savannah and Brunswick, and the Northwest campus in Rome and Dalton.
Augusta University President Dr. Brooks Keel said he was extremely proud of not only AU’s role in positively impacting the economy, but also students’ dedication to be leaders in education, research and patient care.
“We are grateful for all our students, faculty and staff who help us fulfill our mission as the state’s leading university in health sciences, cyber sciences and improving the future success of students,” he said. “And we look forward to continuing to add values to the lives of our fellow Georgians.”
In fall of 2022, with 9,813 students, a 17.8% increase was identified in total enrollment at AU, and a 2.2% increase occurred over fall of 2021 when the school reported a total of 9,606 students.
Following a 2.2% increase over the fall of 2021 with 9,606 students, during the fall of 2022, a 17.8% increase was identified with total enrollment including up to 9,813 scholars.
As part of that overall increase, graduate enrollment rose 11.8% from fall of 2021, and professional student enrollment also increased within the Medical College of Georgia, according to a press release from the university.
AU recorded the second-highest percentage of growth in the system, and is one of the eight out of 26 institutions within the USG to show growth from last year.
“This is a pivotal time for our university, and that is shown in the continued growth of our student body, the addition of quality academic programs and the number of successful graduates those programs produce,” Keel said.
The $20.1 billion total economic impact for fiscal year 2022, up from $19.3 billion in 2021’s fiscal year, included $14.2 billion in initial spending by students and by USG’s 26 public colleges and universities on personnel and operating expenses.
The remaining $5.9 billion is the multiplier impact of those funds in a local community. On average, every dollar of initial spending generates an added 42 cents for the economy of the region that hosts said institution.
“USG’s 26 public colleges and universities, individually and collectively, make a significant economic impact across the state, helping to put Georgians to work while spending money in local communities and helping their regional economies support Georgia’s growth,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “At the same time, our graduates are the real winners with this million-dollar deal. We’re focused on continuing to help all our students be successful as they use their degrees to prepare themselves for their future prosperity.”
For more information about the full economic report, please visit: https://www.usg.edu/assets/usg/docs/news_files/USG-Economic_Impact_2022.pdf
