The growth of Augusta University has made an impact that goes well beyond the River Region. With a growing statewide network that includes regional and clinical campuses for the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University and the Dental College of Georgia, as well as clinical sites and research projects that serve the state’s 159 counties, it’s easy to see how AU continues to provide value, including economic value, to the city, state and region.
During fiscal year 2024, which ran from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, Augusta University provided a $1.62 billion boost to the state economy – marking a 4.6% increase over the previous year – and generated 11,543 jobs. This is according to the University System of Georgia’s annual “Economic Impact of University System of Georgia Institutions on their Regional Economies in FY 2024.“
“Augusta University’s growth adds tremendous value to Georgia and beyond. With record enrollment, groundbreaking research, and new facilities being added, our economic impact across the state continues to increase,” said Augusta University President Russell T. Keen. “We are focused on driving research, empowering student success, and engaging with our community. As the state’s designated health sciences university, our faculty are leaders in their fields, and our research leads to life-changing, lifesaving discoveries. We prioritize student success, supporting our students both in and out of the classroom. Our students, faculty, and staff make a real difference in people’s lives, not only here in Georgia but worldwide.”
AU’s economic impact includes MCG’s regional campuses, which contributed more than $42 million and 389 jobs to Georgia’s economy.
The new report also breaks down the impact of student spending, with AU’s 10,546 students during the 2023-24 academic year spending approximately $239.2 million in FY 2024, or an average of $22,680.92 per student.
“There’s a lot of momentum at Augusta University right now. Reaching this enrollment milestone shows our dedication to constantly improving every interaction and experience, which has driven up demand for the health sciences, liberal arts, and technology-driven education we’ve become known for,” Keen added.
Each year, a companion study is published alongside the economic impact study that looks at the potential lifetime earnings for graduates from USG’s member institutions. According to this year’s report, the Class of 2024 will earn on average, over $1.4 million more than they would without a college degree.
On average, each credential generates additional earnings over a USG graduate’s lifetime by:
- Certificate: +$292,582
- Associate degree: +$462,576
- Bachelor’s degree: +$1,414,108
- Master’s degree: +$1,717,175
- Professional degree: +$2,659,505
- D.: +$2,499,996
