Gateway Technical College adds more than $746.7 million to the local economy, and taxpayers receive a cumulative value of $1.20 for every $1 of public money invested in college – an added value of $93.1 million – over the course of college graduates’ and students’ working lives, according to a recent survey commissioned by the college.

In addition, for every dollar invested in Gateway, people in Wisconsin will receive a cumulative value of $7.90 in benefits. The benefits of this investment will occur for as long as students included in the study remain employed in the state workforce.

"When our community invests in Gateway Technical College, everyone wins – every dollar put in returns more than seven dollars in value, and the college creates more in tax revenue than it receives," said Gateway Technical College Interim President and CEO Morgan Phillips.

The amount added to the local economy equates to about 3 percent of the region's gross regional product, the economic survey indicated.

This survey was part of a sweeping report of the college’s impact on the economy, taxpayers, its students and the state conducted by Lightcast, a company that provides colleges and universities with labor market data. The company focused its work on data from the 2023-24 Fiscal Year.

Altogether, the survey indicates benefits Gateway provides to society equal a present value of $1.1 billion. These benefits include $814.9 million in added student income, $218.8 million in added business income, $81.5 million in added income from college activities, as well as $25.6 million in social savings related to health, the justice system and income assistance in Wisconsin.

The report reveals again that Gateway continues to be a major player in the economic engine of the region. It shows the college’s strong impact on the economy and tax base of Southeastern Wisconsin as well as the long-lasting impact a Gateway education has on its graduates and the economy. 

Other key findings include:

• Gateway alumni generated $654.9 million in added income for the regional economy, which is equivalent to supporting 10,324 jobs.
• One out of every 23 jobs in the Gateway Technical College District is supported by the activities of Gateway and its students.
• In addition, for every dollar students invest in Gateway in the form of outof-pocket expenses and forgone time and money, they will receive a cumulative value of $7.30 in higher future earnings.