“This is equivalent to 10 Super Bowls, and the Super Bowl’s economic impact when it’s within community.”
Grand Valley State University President Philomena Mantella shared the study’s results Thursday revealing the university is an economic engine felt in every region of the state.
“In total, GVSU sustains over 116,000 jobs. Nearly one in every 20 college-educated jobs statewide are held by Lakers.”
GVSU economics professor Paul Isely and senior clinical affiliate Christian Glupker authored the study. Isely says for every $1 the state invests in GVSU, the university generates nearly $31 for Michigan’s economy.
“So, what we know is that Grand Valley tends to be funded at a lower level. We also know that Grand Valley keeps people in-state more, and we know that our cost structure is relatively low. When you combine those three things together, we end up with that 31 to one.”
In a 2023 W.E. Upjohn Institute study, GVSU was ranked the number one U.S. public university for graduate retention, where five out of six graduates remain in Michigan.
The full study can be found here.
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