Georgia Southern reaches new economic impact record of $1.167 billion

August 27, 2025

Recent reports from the University System of Georgia (USG) show Georgia Southern University continues its legacy of significant economic impact on its surrounding region.

According to the USG’s latest Economic Impact report, the system recorded a $23.1 billion total economic impact from July 1, 2023 until June 30, 2024. In the same period, Georgia Southern continues to reach new heights with a record annual economic impact of $1.167 billion for FY 2024, a 1.9% increase over the previous year.

“Georgia Southern’s record economic impact across the region reflects the extraordinary dedication of our faculty and staff on all three campuses to ensuring we continue to meet the needs of our students and our region today and into the future,” said Georgia Southern President Kyle Marrero. “We remain steadfast in our goals of graduating career-ready students, advancing the economic development of the region and elevating our public impact research enterprise.”

The report shows there are 3,096 jobs on Georgia Southern’s campuses in Statesboro, Savannah and Hinesville. Because of institution-related spending, an additional 6,627 jobs exist off-campus, totaling 9,723 jobs due to institution-related spending in fiscal year 2024. The report also noted that Georgia Southern students spent $442,818,489 in the region in fiscal year 2024.

In addition, the USG’s newest Lifetime Earnings study found that bachelor’s degree graduates from the class of 2024 will earn, on average, more than $1.4 million above what they would without a college degree through their lifetime. The findings confirm how much each level of higher education can add to a USG graduate’s total earnings throughout their lives.

Across the entire USG, the analysis showed that the 73,006 degrees conferred by USG institutions can expect combined total lifetime earnings of $230 billion.

“A degree from one of USG’s 26 public colleges and universities is a million-dollar deal for graduates and a billion-dollar boost for Georgia,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Students see real returns through higher earnings and better opportunities. Meanwhile, our institutions power Georgia’s economy and help local communities thrive.”

Georgia high school graduates who obtain a bachelor’s degree will boost their state work-life earnings by 82%, surpassing the 80% increase estimated for the nation.

Georgia Southern University conferred 5,172 degrees in FY 2024. This group of degree recipients can expect their combined work in Georgia to total lifetime earnings of $16.54 billion. The report also broke down total Georgia lifetime earning predictions by degree:

• The 102 GS graduates with doctoral degrees will earn a total of $429 million.
• The 1,116 GS graduates with master’s degrees will earn a total of $3.8 billion.
• The 3,870 GS graduates with bachelor’s degrees will earn a total of $12.5 billion.
• The 45 GS graduates with associate degrees will earn a total of $97.9 million.
• The 39 GS graduates with bachelor’s degrees will earn a total of $78.2 million.
• The Lifetime Earnings report also shows the U.S. work-life earnings for graduates. For example, all Georgia Southern students who graduated in the class of 2024 who graduated with a bachelor’s degree will earn a collective $12.6 billion in their lifetimes. Without the degree, their projected lifetime earnings would only be a collective $7 billion. 
• The Economic Impact as well as the Lifetime Earnings studies were both conducted on behalf of USG by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

The Lifetime Earnings report also shows the U.S. work-life earnings for graduates. For example, all Georgia Southern students who graduated in the class of 2024 who graduated with a bachelor’s degree will earn a collective $12.6 billion in their lifetimes. Without the degree, their projected lifetime earnings would only be a collective $7 billion. 

The Economic Impact as well as the Lifetime Earnings studies were both conducted on behalf of USG by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.