The Economic Impact of Higher Education in America

​​​​​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 ECONOMIC IMPACT OF HIGHER EDUCATION IN AMERICA
Explore how colleges and universities in the USA drive economic growth and enrich communities.

​Economic Indicators Map

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.

 
7510102833121371037733136 MA89143 NJ1622597302233871052 CT13462226437761315 DE21 DC21758473 MD156502832 NH400259711406013995843989323716 VT10721 RI
= number of institutions per state

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 email ACE Government Relations at govrel@acenet.edu.

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.