Feature photo courtesy of Sidelines Archive
Story by Maia O’Brien
MTSU is a staple part of the community and economy in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, producing over $15 billion in revenue for Rutherford County.
The Business and Economic Research Center in the Jennings A. Jones College of Business conducted the MTSU Alumni Impact Report on Oct. 7 to measure the economic impacts of MTSU alumni on different levels of the economy.
Alumni and alumni-owned businesses produced $15.2 billion in 2022, when the study was based. Rutherford County had the highest total of business revenue at $4.1 billion.
“This study proves that investing in MTSU has a fantastic impact, and I’ll just put it in perspective for the state,” said District 37 State Rep. Charlie Baum.
He further explained that the state is investing $150 million in MTSU, but the school’s economic impact is over $15 billion this year.
In 2022, MTSU alumni were 52.4% of the human capital growth in Rutherford County.
MTSU President Sidney McPhee expressed his pride in MTSU’s graduates in all the ways they aid the economy.
“These findings underscore the tremendous and positive, multibillion-dollar economic impact made by our alumni in Tennessee,” said McPhee.
MTSU stands as a staple and impactful part of the Tennessee economy on local and state levels. Many MTSU graduates stay and add to the workforce, and many start businesses, making MTSU an important part of the Rutherford County community.
Following Rutherford County, Davidson County generated $2.9 billion in business revenue.
Nashville, Knoxville and Memphis Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) generated $9.7 billion, $435 million and $430 million in business revenue, in that order.
Rutherford County has the highest number of alumni with 32,501. Additionally, Davidson, Williamson, Wilson and Maury have between 19,329 and 4,434 alumni. In 2022, a total of 114,906 alumni lived and worked in Tenn.
Outside of the state, Ga., Fla., Texas and Ala. have the highest MTSU alumni population.
Of degree holders in Rutherford County, 41.69% are from MTSU. In Davidson County, MTSU alumni make up 45% of degree holders.
Maia O’Brien is a contributing writer for MTSU Sidelines.
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