Report Finds UMass Amherst International Students Contribute Over $188 Million to Massachusetts Economy

During the 2022-23 academic year, international students at UMass Amherst contributed $188.7 million to the economy and supported 1,984 jobs, a remarkable 17% increase over the previous year, according to the 2022 Economic Value Report from NAFSA: Association for International Educators. UMass Amherst has also claimed the first spot in Massachusetts Congressional District 2 for the economic contribution by international students among higher education institutions.

Image

According to the NAFSA report, nearly 80,000 international students in Massachusetts contributed $3.6 billion and supported 34,930 jobs, marking a 16% increase from last year. UMass Amherst is ranked fifth among Massachusetts colleges and universities in providing economic benefits from international students. Massachusetts Congressional Districts 5 and 7 rank among the Top 10 in the nation to see a positive economic impact from international students.

The presence of international students at UMass Amherst has a direct and positive impact on the local economy, university officials say, contributing significantly to the local community by spending on housing, food, transportation and various other goods and services. The demand generated by the international student population stimulates local businesses, creating jobs and fostering economic growth in the surrounding areas. 

“Not only do international students enrich our campus community immeasurably by sharing their experiences with us, as the Economic Value Report shows, their presence leads to a large quantifiable economic impact in our region,” says UMass Amherst Vice Provost for Global Affairs Kalpen Trivedi.

Overall, international students studying in the United States contributed $40.1 billion to the economy and supported 368,333 jobs during the 2022-23 academic year. These jobs extend beyond higher education to sectors in dining, retail, health insurance, telecommunications, accommodation and transportation. With a 9.8% increase in jobs supported compared to the year prior, NAFSA estimates that one job was created or supported for every three international students during the last academic year.

Although the economic impact of international students remains below the pre-pandemic level, this year’s report marks the second consecutive year of growth. 

 The full report, released during U.S. State Department’s annual celebration of International Education Week highlighting the economic contributions of international students, can be found on NAFSA’s website.