Proof Is in: Public Universities Are Economic Powerhouses for States - Michael A. McRobbie, Huffington Post

For two centuries, public research universities such as Indiana University have helped shape the fortunes of the United States. They are economic and intellectual growth engines that give back far beyond what they receive in taxpayer support and knit together the residents of a state in a way that is uniquely American. In fact, in Indiana the study, conducted by Tripp Umbach a leader in economic research for higher education and health care systems, calculated the combined economic impact of Indiana University and its partner health system at $11.5 billion a year, compared to a state investment in the university of about $460 million. Together, both institutions are the largest employer in Indiana and account for 100,000 direct and indirect jobs.