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The University of North Georgia's (ºìÁ«ÉçÇø) economic impact totaled almost $737 million on northeast Georgia during fiscal year 2022. The impact includes nearly $734 million in spending and jobs and an additional $3.3 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. 

"ºìÁ«ÉçÇø is an economic engine for the region and our state. From creating leaders in high-demand careers and national service to creating jobs and economic growth for the communities we serve, we are proud to support the mission of the University System of Georgia," ºìÁ«ÉçÇø President Michael Shannon said.  

Included in ºìÁ«ÉçÇø's economic impact is almost $108 million in spending by about 18,000 students, which alone created 3,068 jobs in the area. On average, for every dollar spent by the university, an additional 42 cents are generated for the region. 

ºìÁ«ÉçÇø 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. 

ºìÁ«ÉçÇø is an economic engine for the region and our state. From creating leaders in high-demand careers and national service to creating jobs and economic growth for the communities we serve, we are proud to support the mission of the University System of Georgia.

Dr. Michael Shannon

ºìÁ«ÉçÇø president

Humphreys’ companion study found that USG bachelor's graduates from the class of 2022 will earn over $1 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. ºìÁ«ÉçÇø conferred 3,242 degrees in 2022, and the analysis shows that the group can collectively expect work-life earnings of almost $8 billion. ºìÁ«ÉçÇø academic programs range from associate to doctoral programs, and, among USG institutions, ºìÁ«ÉçÇø was one of the top degree-conferring universities in 2022.  

"USG's 26 public colleges and universities, individually and collectively, make a significant economic impact across the state, helping to put Georgians to work while spending money in local communities and helping their regional economies support Georgia's growth," USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. "At the same time, our graduates are the real winners with this million-dollar deal. We're focused on continuing to help all our students be successful as they use their degrees to prepare themselves for their future prosperity." 

The full  and  reports are available online.