ABERDEEN, S.D. – Northern State University students injected about $13.3 million into the South Dakota economy through their day-to-day living expenses in the 2016 fiscal year.

That figure is found in NSU’s Economic Impact Report, part of a research study measuring the impact of South Dakota’s six public universities on the state economy. The study was released Tuesday at a briefing for state lawmakers in Pierre.

“This study updates initial baseline research conducted in 2010,” said Randy Schaefer, president of the South Dakota Board of Regents. “We were amazed to learn that the statewide impact of the public higher education system on South Dakota’s economic growth and well-being has grown by 35 percent in six years.”

In 2010, 3,280 people lived in South Dakota because of the presence of NSU and the accompanying economic activity. That number rose to about 6,270 in 2016.

NSU 2016 Highlights

The money that NSU students injected into the economy in 2016 does not include tuition and fees. Other highlights from Northern’s Economic Impact Report include:

▪ NSU generates about $229 million of annual economic impact to South Dakota from a state investment of $12.9 million.

▪ NSU acquired $2.2 million in federal and private grants and contracts for research, development and projects.

▪ NSU directly supports 368.2 full-time jobs in South Dakota and 2,169 full-time jobs from the resulting economic activity.

For many NSU students, living in the Aberdeen community is part of their positive Northern experience. One alum said:

“I spent my entire undergraduate career at Northern. It was at Northern that I discovered my passions, but I also learned who I was as a person. Everything just lined up perfectly: the opportunities at school, the professors, and even just living in the city of Aberdeen. I graduated several years ago. Since then I have traveled and worked all over the country. Everywhere I live, I still compare it to Aberdeen and how much Northern helped to put me on the right path.”

Statewide Information

Both the newest study and the one from 2010 were conducted by lead researcher Michael Allgrunn, associate professor of economics at the University of South Dakota’s Beacom School of Business. The research work was sponsored by the South Dakota Board of Regents and the South Dakota Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

Among other findings, Allgrunn’s research found that 67,850 people living in South Dakota would not be here without the six public universities. This includes students; faculty and staff employed by the universities and their families; as well as other workers and their families not affiliated directly with the universities, but who make a living here due to the economic activity that the universities generate.

About Northern State University

Northern State University is a regional university that offers outstanding academics and exceptional extracurricular activities at an affordable price on a safe, welcoming campus. To learn more, visit NSU Admissions.