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Study: The Economic Impact of the University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina and its alumni drive the state's economy by supporting nearly 53,000 jobs – that's about 1 in every 37 jobs in South Carolina.
The flagship university has eight campuses, almost 14,000 employees and about 155,000 alumni living in South Carolina. It pumps $4.1 billion dollars into the state's economy every year, according to a study by Darla Moore School of Business economist Joey Von Nessen.
The university and alumni contribute more to the state in taxes than USC receives in state appropriations – about $75 million more.
While South Carolina residents with bachelor's degrees earn on average $15,000 more per year than high school graduates, all salaries rise as the number of college graduates increases.
This impact is felt all across the state, not just around USC campuses. Alumni living in Charleston pump $310 million into the state economy; in the Grand Strand, alumni account for $137 million of state economic output; and, in the Pee Dee, $132 million a year goes into the state's economy from alumni living in that region.
The university and alumni generate more than $200 million a year in state tax revenues. That is $75 million more than USC receives in state appropriations each year.
