As it opens the door on another fall semester in its 52-year history, Southern Polytechnic State University has released its first-ever economic impact study. Completed by Dr. Ronny Richardson, an associate professor in Southern Polytechnic's School of Management, the study measures the impact that Southern Polytechnic State University and its students have on Marietta, Cobb County and the state of Georgia.

"The results show that SPSU is indeed an economic powerhouse in the community and state," said Richardson.

Among the highlights:

• The study found that, using data from 1998-1999, Southern Polytechnic was the sixth largest employer in the city of Marietta and the 35^th largest employer in Cobb County. It employed 773 people, with 71 living in the city of Marietta and 434 living in Cobb County. This represented a total payroll of $24 million, with $2 million being paid to employees who live within the city of Marietta and $14 million being paid to employees who live in the rest of Cobb County. Including all sources of spending, the total statewide impact of Southern Polytechnic was $156 million and 2,214 jobs.

• The study found that from 1998-1999, 47.2% percent of the undergraduate and 27% of the graduate students of SPSU lived in the city of Marietta, and 62.8% of the undergraduates and 44.6% of the graduate students at SPSU lived in Cobb County. Total spending by students for living expenses amounted to $21.3 million, $7 million spent within Marietta, and $11 million of that spent within Cobb County. Additionally, 863 undergraduate and 76 graduate students were employed by firms in Marietta, while 1468 undergraduate and 200 graduate students were employed by firms in Cobb County.

• Of the $21.3 million spent by SPSU students on living expenses during that time, $1.5 million was spent on housing, $372,900 was spent on utilities, $5.9 million went for groceries, $869,700 was spent on childcare expense, $4 million was spent on retail, $2.8 million went toward restaurants, $3.2 million was spent on gasoline, and $2.7 million was spent for entertainment.

• According to the study, while the high school graduate makes an average of $22,895 annually, graduates with bachelor's degrees from Southern Polytechnic earn $40,468. That represents a net increase in earning power of $17,573 per year due to their education. Assuming SPSU graduates work for 30 years and assuming the same net differential, this represents $527,000 of additional earnings over their working lifetime. The results are just as impressive for students earning a master's degree. The average Southern Polytechnic graduate with a master's degree earns $54,645. That represents a net increase in earning power of $14,167 per year over a graduate with a bachelor's degree, and $425,000 over 30 years.

• Southern Polytechnic graduates an average of 563 students per year. Of their total annual income of $283,000,000, it is estimated that $226,000,000 of this remains in the Atlanta area.

Southern Polytechnic State University is a residential university with approximately 4,000 students pursuing bachelor's and master's degrees in many of the nation's fastest-growing fields related to engineering and technology. One mile west of I-75's Exit 263, the university is just 20 minutes northwest of downtown Atlanta, GA.