The teaching, research and outreach activities of the University of Nebraska grow the state’s economy by $5.8 billion every year — $2.9 billion of which comes from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln — according to an independent new analysis.
Presented at the Feb. 11 Board of Regents meeting, the analysis into the NU system’s impact on Nebraska’s prosperity and quality of life was conducted by Tripp Umbach, a national consultant with expertise in economic impact studies. Tripp Umbach’s findings, which detail the university’s impact by campus, region and legislative district, show that the NU System generates $9 for every $1 the state invests — a significant increase from the 7-to-1 ROI the university created in 2019.
That all four campuses grew their impact even while managing the challenges of COVID-19 is evidence of the vital role the university plays in maintaining the economic competitiveness and well-being of the state, NU System President Ted Carter said.
And as Nebraska recovers from the pandemic – and faces an urgent workforce challenge of 50,000-plus open jobs, including critical openings in health care and STEM fields – an affordable, accessible, competitive public university will continue to be a key part of the solution, Carter said.
“This new analysis is the latest confirmation that the University of Nebraska is one of the largest drivers of economic and individual growth in our state,” he said.
“The numbers alone are powerful, demonstrating the remarkable return we provide on Nebraskans’ investment. When we factor in the cutting-edge research we conduct to improve lives around the world, the outreach we perform in every corner of the state, and the transformational education we provide to 52,000 students every year, it’s clear that the state of Nebraska cannot prosper without its public university.”
Along with its $2.9 billion economic impact, the University of Nebraska–Lincoln added 23,448 jobs (15,894 direct jobs) statewide in 2021. The flagship university’s operations created 7,553 indirect and induced jobs in 2021.
“A 9-to-1 return on investment is an impressive result for Nebraska taxpayers. From my chair, the University of Nebraska has been a responsible and forward-thinking steward of its resources,” said Sen. John Stinner of Gering, chairman of the Nebraska Legislature’s Appropriations Committee. “These findings demonstrate that the University of Nebraska has been able to turn Nebraskans’ investment into impact that extends to every corner of the state — rural and urban alike, from my district in Western Nebraska all the way east.”
Sen. Lynne Walz of Fremont, chairwoman of the Legislature’s Education Committee said the takeaway from the report could not be more clear.
“Investment in higher education pays off big-time for the State of Nebraska,” Walz said. “Not only does the University of Nebraska turn every dollar it receives into growth for the state, but it transforms the lives of our next generation of leaders in so many ways that we can’t fully quantify.”
Report highlights
Among Tripp Umbach’s key findings:
The university’s $5.8 billion annual impact – an increase from the $4.5 billion impact calculated in 2019 – means that the activities of NU campuses, faculty, staff and students, along with the resulting ripple effects in communities across the state, add almost $16 million to Nebraska’s economy every day.
The University of Nebraska builds economically and socially vibrant communities in all 93 counties. Tripp Umbach broke down the university’s economic impact by both region and legislative district and found significant returns across the state. For example, the university grows the economy in the western part of Nebraska by $280 million annually.
The University of Nebraska sustains a highly skilled workforce for the state, supporting 1 of every 27 jobs in Nebraska. The 47,000-plus jobs supported by the university include not just NU employees, but Nebraskans who have jobs as a result of university activities.
University graduates generate significant economic activity for the state. About 1 of every 7 working-age Nebraskans holds an NU degree, and 11,000 new NU graduates enter the workforce every year. The earnings and spending activities of university alumni add $2.9 billion to the state’s economy annually, above and beyond the NU system’s baseline $5.8 billion impact.
University research is a powerful driver of economic growth and quality of life. Faculty innovations in areas like agriculture, medicine and engineering place the NU System among the world’s top-ranked institutions in earning patents, and the companies spun off from their research are projected to create hundreds of jobs in the years ahead.
The university contributes to the well-being of the state. NU employees and students annually contribute $100 million in charitable donations and volunteer services, like student-led service activities, free health screenings, scholarly lectures and more. NU’s campuses also offer activities that enhance Nebraskans’ cultural understanding and build connections among citizens, including concerts, art exhibits and athletic events.
The full, detailed report from Tripp Umbach is available here.
