While our students make up 31 percent of all baccalaureate graduates in the state, they benefit from a small share — just 3.5 percent — of public spending on higher education.

We are a talent magnet: Our colleges enroll 11,100 undergraduate students from other states. That compares to 9,400 at the University of Minnesota and 6,100 at Minnesota State Universities.

The knowledge and skills gained at our 18 colleges and universities are exactly what employers seek. A liberal arts education that emphasizes critical thinking skills is more relevant than ever in our global economy. Students also graduate well prepared to go on to earn graduate and professional degrees. And the real-world experiences that our colleges encourage — internships, undergraduate research, and overseas study — develop important workforce skills.

• 68 percent of our most recent graduates stay in Minnesota, adding to the quality of the state’s workforce and tax base.
• 350,000 of our alumni live across the state, in every corner of Minnesota.

The median earnings of our alumni working full-time in Minnesota four years after graduation is $61,400.

And 93 percent of our most recent graduates were employed, pursuing additional education, or doing volunteer service (e.g., Peace Corps or mission work) or in the military within a year of earning their bachelor’s degree:

• 75 percent of graduates listed employment as their primary activity
• 16 percent listed continuing education as their primary activity
• 1 percent listed volunteer service as their primary activity
• 1 percent listed military service as their primary activity

Our 18 colleges and universities add more than $1.8 billion annually to Minnesota’s economy through direct spending that includes wages, operating costs and capital construction expenditures.