Minot State University’s contributions to the local economy totalled $136.9 million in 2021, including $77.2 million in direct impact from operations and student expenditures, according to a report issued by the North Dakota University System.

Dakota College at Bottineau made a total economic contribution of $37.6 million, including $20.1 million in direct impact from operations and student expenditures.

The report from the North Dakota State University’s Center for Social Research and the Department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics found the state’s university system overall contributed an estimated $3.58 billion, including $2.68 billion in direct operational expenses and student spending.

Wages, salaries and benefits were the largest itemized expenditure for both MSU and DCB. They accounted for 62% of MSU’s expenditures and 47% of DCB’s expenditures. Direct employment at MSU in 2021 was 914 jobs. Business activity and student spending supported another 387 jobs for a total of 1,301 jobs. Direct employment at DCB was 175 jobs. Business activity and student spending supported 117 additional jobs for a total of 292 jobs.

The direct and secondary economic effects of students in the community came to $53.8 million in Minot and $15.2 million in Bottineau. MSU student expenditures were estimated at $11,642 per student, while DCB student expenditures were estimated at $12,022 per student.

The report estimated MSU generated $1.4 million in annual state and local tax collections and DCB generated $341,000. The report also found that, for every dollar of state-appropriated funds, MSU leveraged $1.88 and DCB $2.09 from external sources.

“Higher education is the state’s number one workforce generator, and its economic impacts are vital to North Dakota’s economy, as illustrated by the new report,” said NDUS Chancellor Mark Hagerott. “Higher education invests in people and the overall growth of knowledge for young people and adult learners. Higher education directly influences these learners as well as the workplaces that hire these workers. Our goal is to always work toward the betterment of the entire state.”