According to the University System of Georgia‘s annual “Economic Impact of University System of Georgia Institutions on their Regional Economies in FY 2025,” Augusta University provided a $1.78 billion boost to the state economy while generating 12,325 jobs. This is a 10.4% increase for Fiscal Year 2024 to FY 2025, which ran from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025.

“Augusta University’s $1.78 billion economic impact reflects the strength of our institution and the reach of our statewide mission,” said Augusta University President Russell T. Keen. “From educating Georgia’s future workforce and advancing research to delivering health care and building partnerships in communities across the state, AU is creating opportunity well beyond our campuses. We are proud to support more than 12,000 jobs and help move Georgia forward.”

The new report breaks down the impact of student spending, with AU’s 11,584 students during the 2024-25 academic year spending approximately $211 million in FY 2024, or an average of $18,232 per student.

During FY 24, AU conferred a total of 2,455 degrees, including 995 bachelor’s, 857 master’s, 336 professional, 168 doctoral and 99 certificates.

“The value of an Augusta University degree reaches far beyond commencement,” Keen said. “Our graduates leave prepared to build meaningful careers, create greater economic security for themselves and their families, and meet critical workforce needs across Georgia. That is the life-changing power of higher education.”

A companion study found that bachelor’s graduates from the Class of 2025 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: +$308,988
• Associate degree: +$388,458
• Bachelor’s degree: +$ 1,421,971
• Master’s degree: +$1,730,419
• Professional degree: +$2,803,575
• PhD: +$2,389,806

Record impact for USG

The USG generated a record $25.1 billion for the state’s economy in FY 2025 – an 8.9% increase over last year. At the same time, a companion study shows a USG degree continues to pay off for students, adding more than $1.4 million to a graduate’s lifetime earnings.

“A USG degree isn’t just a diploma. It’s a game-changer for our students and a major win for Georgia’s economy,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Adding $25 billion to the state and giving our graduates a $1.4 million lifetime boost shows the real power of public higher education. When our students succeed, they put strong skills, a great work ethic and real value right back into Georgia communities.”

The total economic impact for FY 2025 marks a substantial jump from $23.1 billion in FY 2024. It includes $16.3 billion in direct spending by students and by USG’s 25 institutions on personnel and operating costs, alongside an additional $8.8 billion generated in local communities as those dollars ripple through the broader economy.

The study found that USG generated 170,096 jobs across Georgia. For each job a USG institution creates on its campus, two additional jobs are created in the local community. Data also continued to show that USG and its institutions create about the same employment impact in the state as Georgia’s top five employers combined.

Based on work-life earnings estimates for Georgia, the analysis showed that USG graduates from the Class of 2025 can expect combined lifetime earnings of $249 billion, $77 billion more than they would have earned had they not completed college or graduate school.

High school graduates who obtain a bachelor’s degree will boost their work-life earnings in Georgia by 80%, exceeding the 77% increase estimated for the nation. The average increase in lifetime earnings varies year to year for each graduating class, depending on how many bachelor’s degrees are awarded relative to other degree categories. When factoring in less than four-year degrees for the Class of 2025, the average amount of extra earnings is more than $1 million.