Investment in UNC Benefits Students, Graduates, Society
February 25, 2020
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
