Eight Ways We Know
Higher Ed Drives Virginia’s Economy
Top-Ranked Higher Ed System In The United States
With top rankings from SmartAsset and CNBC, Virginia’s higher ed system consistently earns accolades for quality, value, and return on investment—branding Virginia a talent leader.
Winning Amazon’s HQ2 Investment … The Right Way
Amazon and state officials credit Virginia’s standout higher ed system and resulting tech talent pipeline as the reason Virginia won the Amazon HQ2 investment despite offering less financial incentives than other states.
The Best State For Business
Virginia now ranks in the top two states for business, according to CNBC, thanks in large part to ranking #1 for education.
Major Economic Growth, Jobs, And Revenue Impacts
Virginia’s public higher ed institutions each year contribute more than $52 billion in Gross State Product, account for more than 188,000 jobs, and generate more than $3.9 billion in state tax revenues for the Commonwealth.
A Higher Ed System That More Than Pays For Itself In State Revenues
Each tax dollar invested in Virginia’s public higher ed system generates more than $25 in Gross State Product and returns $1.89 in revenue to the state treasury.
Virginians See Our Higher Ed System As A Sound Place To Invest
Large majorities of Virginians in both parties say we should be proud of our top-performing higher ed system. 83% say our higher ed system is a “valuable asset” of the Commonwealth and describe it as “well run” and a “sound place to invest public dollars.”
Virginia’s Top Graduation Rates Produce A Strong Return On Investment For Students
With the #1 graduation rates in the nation, Virginia’s higher ed system delivers a strong ROI for students. SmartAsset puts the average 20-year ROI of a 4-year degree from Virginia’s higher ed system at $327,869.
Lower Cost Per Degree Than Neighbors And Peers
Virginia’s higher ed system also wins high marks for cost-efficiency. A 2019 Lumina Foundation report found that Virginia produces top graduation rates despite spending less per degree than neighboring states and states with similar higher ed systems. And, in Virginia, the cost per degree has been going down over the past decade.
Virginia’s Top-Performing Higher Education System
By The Numbers
Virginia higher education system’s national ranking by SmartAsset for the past 7 straight years based on graduation rates and ROI.
generated in the Virginia economy by every $1 of state investment in higher education
revenue returning to the State Treasury for every $1 of state investment in higher education
jobs the public higher education system supports
the Virginia higher education system’s annual contribution to Virginia’s economic output
Virginians who say we should be proud of our top-performing higher education system
Virginians who say higher education is a good investment because it leads to higher incomes and a stronger economy
Virginians who say our colleges are “well run” and a “sound place to invest public dollars”
Virginia’s ranking for per-student state support of higher education
Per-student state support for higher education in Virginia (compared to $12,354 in TN; $12,513 in NC; $9,759 in MD; and a US average of $10,237 per student; SHEEO 2022)