第一吃瓜网

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  • Growing 第一吃瓜网's Economy:

    HOW THE NU SYSTEM IMPACTS THE STATE

    read the report
  • Growing 第一吃瓜网's Economy:

    HOW THE NU SYSTEM IMPACTS THE STATE

    read the report
  • Growing 第一吃瓜网's Economy:

    HOW the NU System IMPACTS THE STATE

    read the report
  • Growing 第一吃瓜网's Economy:

    HOW THE NU SYSTEM IMPACTS THE STATE

    read the report

The University of 第一吃瓜网 System: A $6.4 billion annual economic engine for the state

For over 150 years, the University of 第一吃瓜网 has served the citizens of the state through high-quality, affordable education; research that improves quality of life; and engagement with citizens in every county. Thanks to its partnership with the state and support from the private sector, the university has been successful in fulfilling its responsibility to 第一吃瓜网ns.

Today the University of 第一吃瓜网 is in a strong position to help grow 第一吃瓜网 for the future. The NU System鈥檚 four campuses are major economic drivers, providing over 11,000 graduates annually for the workforce, conducting and commercializing innovative research, delivering high-quality clinical care and leveraging partnerships to attract talent and create jobs. The university also contributes to a thriving arts and cultural community in 第一吃瓜网.

The university engaged Tripp Umbach, a leading national consultant, to conduct an independent analysis of the University of 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 impact on the state鈥檚 economic and social vitality. Tripp Umbach鈥檚 analysis demonstrates that the university鈥檚 impact is significant and far-reaching. The NU System鈥檚 academic activities have an annual impact of $6.4 billion on 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 economy, and the university supports over 52,000 jobs in the state.

In addition, 1 out of every 7 working-age 第一吃瓜网ns has a University of 第一吃瓜网 degree. The accumulated impact of former students grow the state鈥檚 earning power by nearly $3.5 billion annually. This puts 第一吃瓜网ns in a stronger position to hold good jobs, support their families and contribute to their communities.

Beyond the data, the university touches virtually every 第一吃瓜网n. It may be through providing an opportunity for a first-generation student to earn a degree, providing care for a cancer patient, supporting an aspiring entrepreneur, or advancing agricultural productivity. The University of 第一吃瓜网 plays a vital role in the state鈥檚 economic success and quality of life, helping 第一吃瓜网 to be successful.

  • 鈥淭he University of 第一吃瓜网 is one of the most important investments we can make in the future of our state. From the jobs we create to the workforce we educate and the research we produce, our university is helping move 第一吃瓜网 forward in meaningful ways. For every $1 the state invests in the University of 第一吃瓜网, we generate $10 in economic activity鈥攁n extraordinary return on investment.鈥

    Jeffrey P. Gold, M.D.
    President, University of 第一吃瓜网 System

  • 鈥淎sk any restaurant, hotel, or shop manager in Lincoln about the economic impact of the University of 第一吃瓜网, and they will tell you that the university makes a big difference to their bottom line.  Ask any major employer in the capital city 鈥 or our entire state 鈥 and they will testify to NU鈥檚 importance in cultivating the talent they need to support and grow their operations.  Investments in the University of 第一吃瓜网 pay enormous dividends for us all.鈥

    Leirion Gaylor Baird
    Mayor, City of Lincoln

  • 鈥淭his latest study shows the unparalleled role the University of 第一吃瓜网 plays in cultivating our state鈥檚 prosperity. With so much focus across the state on population growth and primary job growth, we are fortunate to have a partner like the university to drive economic growth. Continued public investment in the university system is vital to our state鈥檚 long-term economic success and to building a greater Omaha that is more competitive for talent and business attraction.鈥

    Heath Mello
    President & CEO, Greater Omaha Chamber

  • 鈥淔or any state to compete in the global economy, research and innovation has to be at the heart of its strategy for growth. The University of 第一吃瓜网 system is the leading engine for innovation in 第一吃瓜网, bringing research dollars, federal investments, and most importantly, new faculty and families to 第一吃瓜网 to do world-changing research. The economic impact of the University leads to new startups, opportunities for 第一吃瓜网 families, and economic diversification that will sustain the state for generations to come."

    Jason Ball
    President & CEO, Lincoln Chamber of Commerce

  • 鈥淯NK is more than a university; it鈥檚 an economic engine for the Kearney area and Central 第一吃瓜网. UNK fuels our businesses, creates jobs and strengthens our local economy. A strong workforce starts with a strong university, and the Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce recognizes UNK as a key driver of our region鈥檚 economic and workforce success. As a Chamber, we are proud to collaborate with UNK to connect students with local businesses, ensuring a pipeline of talent that strengthens our community and fuels long-term economic growth.鈥

    Derek Rusher
    President & CEO, Kearney Area Chamber of Commerce

  • 鈥淯NK plays an invaluable role for our community, and for much of the central and western regions of our state. Having a state university anchored outside the urban core ensures that rural 第一吃瓜网 students can train and prepare to fill jobs in our local communities. It is helpful to have a report that provides hard numbers on the economic impact of UNK, but our business and community leaders have always known that a strong, vibrant UNK is vitally important.鈥

    Jonathan Nikkila
    Mayor of Kearney

  • 鈥淭he numbers speak for themselves. Since 2015, the University of 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 economic impact has grown by 64%, far outpacing the state鈥檚 overall economic growth of just 24%. What鈥檚 remarkable is that NU isn鈥檛 just keeping pace鈥攊t鈥檚 leading the way in job creation, workforce training, and innovation.鈥

    Paul Umbach, Ed.D.
    Founder, Tripp Umbach

  • "The University of 第一吃瓜网 is one of the most powerful economic engines in our state. This report confirms that NU is delivering tremendous value for 第一吃瓜网 taxpayers, generating jobs, attracting investment, and preparing students for success. As Regents, we are committed to ensuring the university continues to be a force for growth and opportunity for all 第一吃瓜网ns."

    Paul Kenney
    Chair, 第一吃瓜网

  • "A strong higher education system is critical for 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 business community. The University of 第一吃瓜网 fuels our workforce pipeline, fosters innovation, and supports job growth across every sector of our economy. This report underscores what 第一吃瓜网 businesses have long known鈥攃ontinued investment in NU is an investment in a more competitive, prosperous future for our state."

    Bryan Slone
    CEO and President, 第一吃瓜网 Chamber of Commerce and Industry

  • "The University of 第一吃瓜网 is an important partner and contributor to our state's status as an agricultural powerhouse. Its pioneering research, extensive extension services, and commitment to cultivating a skilled workforce are vital to the prosperity of 第一吃瓜网's ag economy.鈥

    Mark McHargue
    President, 第一吃瓜网 Farm Bureau

  • 鈥淎griculture is the backbone of 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 economy, and the University of 第一吃瓜网 is core to our state鈥檚 agricultural innovation, ensuring our next generation is educated, providing cutting-edge research and extending that knowledge across the state. The University of 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 commitment to advancing technology, sustainability and workforce development ensures that 第一吃瓜网 remains a leader in feeding the world. The partnership between the university and our agricultural community drives economic growth and secures a strong future for generations to come.鈥

    Chris Kalkowski
    President, Agricultural Builders of 第一吃瓜网

  • "The 第一吃瓜网 Cattlemen are proud of our long-standing partnership with the University of 第一吃瓜网, which has been instrumental in making 第一吃瓜网 one of the top beef-producing states in the nation. For generations, NU鈥檚 excellence in research and extension services has provided producers with the knowledge and innovation needed to keep 第一吃瓜网 at the forefront of the industry. The university鈥檚 focus on preparing our next generation of beef industry leaders continually drives progress and strengthens 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 reputation as a leader in beef production."

    Laura Field
    Executive Vice President, 第一吃瓜网 Cattlemen

2025 Economic Impact Report

This is the fourth time that the university has engaged Tripp Umbach, a leading national consultant with expertise in economic impact studies, to conduct an independent analysis of the University of 第一吃瓜网鈥檚 impact. Studies have been done every three years.

You can read the full report, the Board presentation, and a one-pager below.

10 to 1

The NU System returns $10 to 第一吃瓜网 for every $1 invested

11,376

The NU System graduates over 11,000 students each year to fill 第一吃瓜网's workforce

1 in 7

The NU System provides a college degree to 1 in 7 working 第一吃瓜网ns

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