The Economic Impact of Higher Education in America
Section 1 Content
Why This Work Matters Colleges and universities have long been central to American history, playing a vital role in both the education of men and women and in building our economy. Because education is the foundation for growth, these institutions have played a key role in driving upward social and economic mobility for generations of Americans.
The value of higher education is evident in the benefits it provides—from increased earnings for graduates to stronger civic engagement. Highlighting its impact showcases the many ways that higher education adds value not only for students but also for local, state, regional, and national economies.
The interactive map below provides a comprehensive view of the economic activity of colleges and universities. Select a state to learn about data points such as the total revenue across institutions within the state, total salary expenditures on employees at institutions in the state, and the median annual earnings by educational attainment. This same type of information is displayed at the congressional district level as well. Local, regional, and national data points will be added in the future.
74 10 98 82 307 136 103 74 32 132 MA 88 142 NJ 160 25 97 299 23 379 10 52 CT 134 62 226 42 77 584 15 DE 19 DC 20 74 82 71 MD 155 50 28 31 NH 398 257 71 138 59 135 94 83 39 86 123 32 34 16 VT 106 21 RI = number of institutions per state
About the Data
This analysis draws on multiple federal data sources, providing a comprehensive view of the economic activity of colleges and universities. Institution-level information comes from the 2022–2023 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the 2022–2023 College Scorecard. To provide state-level context, we also incorporated data from the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 American Community Survey (ACS), which include estimates of median earnings and unemployment rates by educational attainment.
To view the methodology, click here .
More to Come
The economic indicators map represents the first phase of demonstrating the full value that higher education brings to the nation. While the release highlights key data, the interactive tool will soon expand to showcase economic activity of colleges and universities at the local, regional, and national levels. Over time, this page will also feature additional insights on broader societal and health benefits, helping tell a more complete story of how higher education builds America. Stay tuned as we continue building this resource.
To share feedback and comments regarding the economic indicators map, please do so
by submitting this form to our ACE Government Relations team.
Other Benefits of Higher Education
Higher education is often viewed as a pathway to better jobs and
a stable life, but it also brings positive impacts in other
areas. Click on the tiles below to explore:
Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment
are less likely to live in households that receive public
assistance.
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Reduced Levels of Poverty
Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment
rely less on Medicaid, SNAP, and Housing Assistance.
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Decreased Reliance on Public Assistance Programs
Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment
exhibit increased levels of voting in elections.
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Increased Voter Participation
Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment
are more likely to perform unpaid volunteer activities.
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Increased Civic Involvement
Preschool-age children of parents with higher levels of
educational attainment are more likely to be enrolled in
school.
Also, children of parents with higher levels of educational attainment are more likely than other children to engage in a wide variety of educational activities with their family members.
Improved Family Education
Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment
are more likely to exercise vigorously at least once a
week.
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Higher Levels of Physical Activity
Individuals with higher levels of educational attainment
are more likely to experience better mental health.
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Better Mental Health
Individuals with higher educational attainment are more
likely to excel in soft skills such as time management,
teamwork, emotional intelligence, and communication.
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Development of Soft Skills
