Economic impact tops $780M in 2024

The University of North Georgia's (UNG) economic impact totaled more than $780 million on northeast Georgia during fiscal year 2024. The impact includes more than $768 million in spending and jobs, a 3.1% increase from a year earlier, and an additional $12.3 million impact attributed to capital construction projects. The annual study of the University System of Georgia's (USG) economic impact measures direct and indirect spending that contributes to the university's service region. 

"The University of North Georgia isn't just higher education. It's higher purpose," UNG President Michael Shannon said. "UNG turns purpose into action. We deliver unmatched value, develop courageous leaders and help every student rise to meet what comes next."  

Included in UNG's economic impact is almost $286 million in spending by about 18,000 students, which alone created 2,941 jobs in the area. On average, for every dollar spent by the university, an additional 44 cents are generated for the region. 

UNG has campuses in Blue Ridge, Cumming, Dahlonega, Gainesville, and Oconee County. The study area included those communities and the contiguous counties — Barrow, Clarke, Dawson, Fannin, Forsyth, Gilmer, Gwinnett, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin, Madison, Oconee, Union, and White counties. Study areas for each school in the report were defined based on the Residence County to Workplace County Flows for Georgia, 2009-2013 from the U.S. Census Bureau. 

UNG also had a regional employment impact of 6,184 jobs in the same period. The employment impact includes 1,871 on-campus jobs. The report noted that on average, for each job created on campus, more than two off-campus jobs exist because of spending related to the institution. 

As a whole, all USG public colleges and universities in 2024 had a statewide impact of $23.1 billion, a 5.4% increase. 

Conducted on behalf of USG by Dr. Jeffrey M. Humphreys, director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia's Terry College of Business, the study also showed USG over the same period generated 168,635 full- and part-time jobs across Georgia. 

Humphreys’ companion study found that USG bachelor's graduates from the class of 2024 on average will earn $1.4 million more during their lifetimes than they would have without their college degree, supporting the value of higher education, especially for high school graduates who earn a bachelor’s degree. UNG academic programs range from associate to doctoral programs, and, among USG institutions, UNG was one of the top degree-conferring universities in 2024. The university has also seen an 11.4% jump in dual enrollment and has the second-most dual enrollment students in the USG — underscoring its expanding role in preparing high school students for college success and contributing to the region's talent pipeline.

"A degree from one of USG’s 26 public colleges and universities is a million-dollar deal for graduates and a billion-dollar boost for Georgia," USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. "Students see real returns through higher earnings and better opportunities. Meanwhile, our institutions power Georgia’s economy and help local communities thrive."

The full economic impact and lifetime earnings reports are available online.