$3.3 billion impact seen from colleges, universities

Colleges and universities have a nearly $3.3 billion impact on the regional economy — an amount that has grown even during the recession, strengthening the industry’s place as a top economic engine in the area.

Higher education is on par with the region’s top employers, including Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. How are colleges and universities able to have such a big impact during one of the worst downturns in our nation’s history?