NEW TOWN – A newly released study demonstrates the transformative value and benefits that Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish College (NHSC) in New Town generates for the regional economy, according to NHSC information.

Lightcast, a leading provider of economic impact studies and labor market data, just released the study on NHSC assessing its economic impact. The study finds that NHSC creates a strong net-positive impact on the North Dakota economy and generates a positive return on investment for students, taxpayers and society.

The report establishes that NHSC added $19.7 million in income to the economies of Fort Berthold Reservation during the 2022-23 analysis year. The $19.7 million consists of operations, construction, student and alumni spending.

From the student perspective, students who invest in education at NHSC will receive a return of $5.50 in higher future earnings for every $1 they spend. This is an average annual rate of return of 23.1%. For comparison, the stock market 30-year average annual return is 10.1% and the interest earned on a savings account is 0.5%.

As a result of NHSC, taxpayers across the United States will benefit from added tax revenue stemming from students’ higher lifetime earnings and increased business output amounting to $8.9 million, the report stated. At the state level, the added tax revenues and government savings created in North Dakota is $3.5 million in benefits.

The study notes the average NHSC associate degree graduate from 2022-2023 will see annual earnings that are $11,500 higher than a person with a high school diploma or equivalent working in North Dakota. Over a working lifetime, the benefits of the associate degree from NHSC over a high school diploma will amount to $414,000 in higher earnings per graduate.

“This report shows that NHSC is a good investment for our stakeholders, which includes our students, funding agencies and the Three Affiliated Tribes.” said Dr. Twyla Baker, the college’s president. “NHSC and all tribal colleges offer students a fantastic value during their studies. But we also offer our students a pathway to higher incomes throughout their lifetimes, which will in turn impact their families, their employers and our communities at large.”

A fact sheet, executive summary and full report of “The Economic Value of Nueta Hidatsa Sahnish” is available on the college’s website.