The state's 15 public universities are responsible for more than 120,000 jobs and $23.9 billion in economic activity in the state, a report released Tuesday by the Presidents Council, State Universities of Michigan said. Among the economic benefits of the universities are wages for staff and other spending by the institutions, but also spending by students and wages for alumni, the report by the Anderson Economic Group said. As would be expected, the largest portion of non-payroll spending for universities was in Wayne County ($547.2 billion), which houses Wayne State University and University of Michigan-Dearborn. Ingham County, home of Michigan State University, was second at $513.4 million. Washtenaw County, location for University of Michigan and Eastern Michigan University, was third at $355.6 million.

http://www.mitechnews.com/articles.asp?id=16485
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/12/10/3810095/michigan-public-universities-tout.html
http://www.wlns.com/story/24185351/michigan-public-universities-tout-economic-impact
http://www.businessweek.com/ap/2013-12-11/michigan-public-universities-tout-economic-impact
http://michiganradio.org/post/study-finds-michigan-public-universities-generate-nearly-24-billion-spending
http://abc10up.com/public-universities-24-billion-impact-michigan/
http://www.dbusiness.com/daily-news/Annual-2013/Report-Michigans-Universities-Generate-24B-in-Economic-Activity/