What is an economic impact study?
In the context of higher education, an Economic Impact Study (EIS) is an analysis of your institution’s importance and value to the regional economy, as well as the return on investment (ROI) your institution provides for students, taxpayers, and society at large.
In short, it's a report that lets you answer the question: "What would our community look like if our institution didn’t exist?"
By enabling you to answer that question with defensible, unbiased data, an EIS helps you demonstrate value, prove effectiveness, and grow community support.
1. Economic Impact Analyses
Operations Spending Impact
We determine the added net income generated in the region as a result of your institution's payroll and its purchases of supplies and services.
Student Spending Impact
We identify how local and nonlocal students can markedly affect your region. We measure the money spent on food, transportation, and other items.
Alumni Impact
We tally the impact of your alumni's higher earnings and increased productivity in the regional workforce.
2. Investment Analyses
Student Investment Analysis
Graduates gain a lifetime of higher earnings. We compare the present value of these higher earnings with the cost of their education.
Taxpayer Investment Analysis
We measure the added taxes and public sector savings that your school contributes to the state.
Social Investment Analysis
We calculate the added state revenue and social savings that result from your school's presence.
When it comes to showing your impact, you need evidence.
A Lightcast economic impact study (EIS) provides objective, third-party data that demonstrates the economic and social benefits of your college.
How it works
01/03
What can you do
with an EIS?
For example...
The Alabama Community College System found that for every dollar spent
Students Gained
$7.00
Taxpayers gained
$1.40
Society gained
$7.40
Capital Analysis for Higher Education
Upgrading old facilities or constructing new ones? If you're looking to pass bonds, raise support, or persuade your legislature to provide the funding needed for growth, a robust capital analysis can help.
By calculating the impact of construction spending, operational spending, and long-run alumni impacts associated with your project, a capital analysis report can provide the hard data and number stakeholders want to see before making funding decisions.
