The Economic Value of WTAMU Main Report

students’ higher lifetime earnings and the increased output of businesses.
Savings to the public sector add another estimated $42.4 million in benefits
due to a reduced demand for government-funded social
services in Texas. For every tax dollar spent educating
students attending WTAMU, taxpayers will receive an
average of $3.40 in return over the course of the students’
working lives. In other words, taxpayers enjoy an
annual rate of return of 9.2%.
Social perspective
in return over the course of the
People in Texas invested $298.5 million
in WTAMU in FY 2017-18. This includes
the university’s expenditures, student
expenses, and student opportunity costs. In return, the
state of Texas will receive an estimated present value of $2.3 billion in added
state revenue over the course of the students’ working lives. Texas will also
benefit from an estimated $128.3 million in present value social savings related
to reduced crime, lower welfare and unemployment, and increased health
and well-being across the state. For every dollar society invests in WTAMU,
an average of $8.00 in benefits will accrue to Texas over the course of the
students’ careers.
For every tax dollar spent educating
students attending WTAMU, taxpayers
will receive an average of $3.40
students’ working lives.
Acknowledgments
Emsi gratefully acknowledges the excellent support of the staff at West Texas A&M University in making this study
possible. Special thanks go to President, Dr. Walter Wendler, who approved the study, and to Jarvis Hampton, Director,
Institutional Research and Effectiveness; Jessica Smith, Associate Director, Institutional Research and Effectiveness; and
Todd McNeil, Finance Director, Accounting and Business, who collected much of the data and information requested.
Any errors in the report are the responsibility of Emsi and not of any of the above-mentioned individuals.
Executive Summary
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