The Economic Impact of Clayton State University on the Georgia Economy Grows to More Than $305 Million

(August 24, 2026) - Clayton State University’s economic impact in the southern Atlanta metro region increased to more than $305 million in fiscal year 2025, a 4.5% increase over fiscal year 2024, according to a report released by the University System of Georgia (USG) this month. The total impact of all 25 USG institutions on their communities was $25.1 billion in fiscal year 2025, representing an 8.9% increase from $23.1 billion in FY 2024. 

The institution’s total economic impact of more than $305 million comprises more than $186 million in education-related spending by students, as well as Clayton State’s personnel and operating expenses.

Clayton State’s collective employment impact in FY 2025 was 2,025 full- and part-time jobs – including 566 jobs on campus and 1,459 jobs off campus in either the private or public sectors. 

Clayton State President Dr. Georj L. Lewis believes the increased economic impact of the university, as reflected in this USG study, is a direct result of the streamlined efforts of all faculty and staff working together to accomplish the goals laid out in our current strategic plan.

“The increased economic impact shown in this report illustrates the career success achieved by our recent graduates and alumni as they drive the Georgia economy forward powered by the degree they earned here at Clayton State,” according to Dr. Lewis. “This continued improvement reflects directly on a united effort with our corporate and community partners as well as our faculty and staff’s focus on improving the social mobility of all our students. It shows that dreams are made real at Clayton State University and we have the numbers to back that statement up.”

In addition to the annual economic impact study, USG released a companion study that found bachelor’s degree graduates in the class of 2025 from Georgia’s public colleges and universities will earn $1.4 million more during their lifetimes than they would without a degree.  The findings confirm how much each level of higher education can add to a USG graduate’s total earnings throughout their lives. They offer evidence that earnings increase substantially with each step up in the degree earned.

On average, each credential generates additional earnings over a USG graduate’s lifetime by:

Certificate: + $308,988

Associate degree: + $388,458

Bachelor’s degree: + $1,421,971

Master’s Degree: + $1,730,419

Professional Degree: + $2,803,575

Ph.D.: $2,389,806

High school graduates who obtain a bachelor’s degree will boost their work-life earnings in Georgia by 80%, exceeding the 77% increase estimated for the nation.

Both studies were conducted on behalf of USG by Jeffrey M. Humphreys, Ph.D., director of the Selig Center for Economic Growth in the University of Georgia’s Terry College of Business.

The average increase in lifetime earnings varies year to year for each graduating class, depending on how many bachelor’s degrees are awarded relative to other degree categories. If factoring in less-than-four-year degrees for the Class of 2025, the average amount of extra earnings is over $1 million.

Read the full report: USG Economic Impact 2025.

Read the companion study on earnings: USG Lifetime Earnings 2025.