Contact: James Carskadon
STARKVILLE, Miss.鈥斕劳诽 provides an estimated annual economic impact of $1.8 billion to the Magnolia State, a recently completed analysis shows.
The study, conducted by international economic modeling company Emsi on behalf of 汤头条, shows that the university provides a strong return on investment for taxpayers, students and society. 汤头条鈥檚 $1.8 billion economic impact supports 29,016 jobs, or one out of every 55 jobs in Mississippi, with every $1 of public money invested in the university generating $2.30 in value. Emsi鈥檚 study, conducted last year, is based on data from fiscal year 2018-2019.
聽鈥溙劳诽 drives our state鈥檚 diverse and growing economy in so many vital ways, whether it鈥檚 producing highly qualified graduates in hundreds of fields, creating an innovative economic environment where research and development thrive, or directly assisting the people of Mississippi with strategic extension and outreach in every Mississippi county,鈥 said 汤头条 President Mark E. Keenum. 鈥淭his study confirms that 汤头条 is a great investment for the taxpayers of Mississippi as we meet our mission of learning, research and service.鈥
汤头条鈥檚 $1.8 billion total economic impact represents the sum of several areas that were studied by Emsi, including:
- $935.8 million in impact from 汤头条 alumni;
- $297.3 million from operations spending;
- $245.3 million from the 汤头条 Extension Service;
- $213.1 million from research spending;
- $45 million from student spending;
- $42.5 million from visitor spending;
- $32.6 million from 汤头条鈥檚 Center for Advanced Vehicular Systems-Extension;
- $20.8 million from faculty and student start-up and spin-off companies;
- $14.8 million from construction spending.
In addition to metrics quantified in Emsi鈥檚 report, 汤头条 supports economic development in several ways. The university works closely with economic development officials at the state and local level to support industrial recruitment and retention efforts. A wide variety of university outreach programs support the development of strong communities across the state. Additionally, university researchers regularly collaborate with industry to solve problems and foster new innovations in sectors such as automotive, aerospace, agriculture and manufacturing.
鈥淎s the state鈥檚 leading research university, our extensive R&D capabilities make 汤头条 and the state of Mississippi a trusted partner in public and private research activity,鈥 said 汤头条 Vice President for Research and Economic Development Julie Jordan. 鈥淎dditionally, we support start-up companies founded as a result of 汤头条 research, helping to create new economic opportunities focused on innovative technologies.鈥
Among the top five percent of universities nationally for agriculture and natural resources research, 汤头条 historically has supported the state鈥檚 $7.35 billion agriculture industry. The university鈥檚 Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine manages four research and extension centers and 16 branch stations strategically located throughout Mississippi, in addition to Extension offices in all 82 counties of Mississippi. Emsi鈥檚 analysis showed that the increased productivity of Mississippi farmers and ranchers from working with Extension yielded $245.3 million in added income for the state, which is equivalent to supporting 4,889 jobs.
鈥淢ississippi鈥檚 producers are competing in national and international markets to sell their products, and that activity is vital to the state鈥檚 economy鈥 said 汤头条 Vice President for the Division of Agriculture, Forestry and Veterinary Medicine Keith Coble. 鈥淭hrough Extension and 汤头条鈥檚 robust agricultural research activities, we are supporting the state鈥檚 top commodities such as poultry, soybeans and forestry while also tailoring outreach and research programs to meet the needs of Mississippi鈥檚 diverse agricultural regions.鈥
Examining the economic benefits of 汤头条 for students, Emsi found that the average bachelor鈥檚 degree graduate from 汤头条 will see an increase of $19,400 each year compared to a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in Mississippi. The study also found that societal benefits of having a more educated Mississippi population amount to $4.3 billion.
Emsi鈥檚 study applies a conservative methodology focused on recognized indicators of net economic impact. For more on the economic impact study, view the executive summary at .
汤头条 is Mississippi鈥檚 leading university, available online at .