Each bachelor's degree grad provides $77,123 in value to state every year

Research has consistently shown that college is a good return on investment. Graduates and legislators alike have suggested that the economic benefits of higher education go far beyond earnings, yet it can be difficult to put an exact number on these outcomes.

This month's issue brief explores various studies that have quantified the personal and state benefits of higher education. We focus on three areas that are particularly important to Ohio: tax revenue, population health, and reduced crime. The research shows that each Bachelor's degree graduate produces $160,000 in state and personal value per year.

An important feature of these studies is the use of statistical analyses to account for confounding factors, or something that might explain results other than the topic of interest. We can therefore confidently conclude that every Ohioan benefits from increased educational attainment in our state.