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Investment in UNC Benefits Students, Graduates, Society

The UNC injected $544.2 million into the regional economy during fiscal year 2017-18 and supported 8,429 jobs, or one out of every 48 jobs in Weld and Larimer counties, according to an economic study released Wednesday.

The University of Northern Colorado injected $544.2 million into the regional economy during fiscal year 2017-18 and supported 8,429 jobs, or one out of every 48 jobs in Weld and Larimer counties, according to an economic study released Wednesday.  
 
Spending on university operations, research, construction, and by students, employees and visitors contributed to the final tally as did added income from graduates employed in the northern Colorado workforce.  
 
The returns on investment extend beyond the campus community, with students, graduates and society all benefiting.  

For students, that means additional earning power once they graduate and enter the workforce. On average, they will earn $3.40 in future earnings for every $1 they invest in their education — a 12.9% rate of return that outperforms 30-year average investments in stocks.  
 
Similarly, taxpayers also benefit from those higher lifetime earnings and reduced demand for government-funded services. For every $1 of public money invested in UNC, taxpayers will receive $4.60 in return over the course of students’ working lives from additional tax revenue.  
 
Collectively, the public colleges and universities in northern Colorado (Aims, Colorado State, Front Range and UNC) contributed $3.9 billion and supported one out of every eight jobs in Larimer and Weld Counties during 2017-18, according to a comprehensive study the schools initiated and unveiled Feb. 25

— Written by Nate Haas

Reports and Infographics: Economic Impact Website

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