ABAC contributes $137 million to local economy

ABAC continues to increase its economic impact in South Georgia, according to the University System of Georgia’s latest numbers.

For fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2025), ABAC contributed $137 million to the region’s economy, an increase of 7.6% from the previous year. The annual report was prepared by the Selig Center for Economic Growth at the University of Georgia.

The report included statistics from Tift, Worth, Cook, Colquitt, Irwin, Turner, Decatur, Seminole, Miller, Grady, Early, Thomas, Mitchell and Baker counties when calculating ABAC’s impact.

“ABAC’s impact goes far beyond our campus, and these numbers demonstrate the important role we play in driving economic growth throughout South Georgia,” said ABAC President Dr. Tracy Brundage. “We are proud to prepare highly qualified graduates who go on to work in and contribute to our region, while also making a measurable economic impact through the process.”

The economic impact combines spending by the institution and its students. With a multiplier value of 1.54, every dollar of initial spending generates an additional 54 cents for the economy in the region.

The report showed that ABAC had a labor income impact of $57.1 million, an increase from $56.1 million in the previous fiscal year. Also, ABAC supported a total of 1,199 jobs, including 333 on-campus and 866 off-campus. Off-campus jobs increased by eight over the prior year.

As a whole, the USG contributed $25.1 billion to Georgia in the last fiscal year, an increase of 8.9% and 170,096 full- and part-time jobs.

In addition to the economic impact report, the USG released a companion study indicating that bachelor’s degree graduates from Georgia’s public colleges and universities will earn $1.4 million more during their lifetimes than they would without a degree.

“A USG degree isn’t just a diploma. It’s a game-changer for our students and a major win for Georgia’s economy,” USG Chancellor Sonny Perdue said. “Adding $25 billion to the state and giving our graduates a $1.4 million lifetime boost shows the real power of public higher education. When our students succeed, they put strong skills, a great work ethic and real value right back into Georgia communities.”

ABAC graduates approximately 400 students each spring. With 55% of graduates leaving ABAC without student or parent loan debt, the increased lifetime earnings represent an even stronger return on investment for ABAC graduates.