Campus Connection

[caption id="attachment_19213" align="alignnone" width="770" caption="More than 400 students from more than 40 countries attending UW-L pumped in more than $9.2 million into the local economy in 2011-12 — the largest of any of the UW schools in Wisconsin's Third Congressional District. Director of International Education Jay Lokken says their impact is much more than financial. “The positive impact that UW-L's international students are having on their classes, faculty, friends, the campus, area schools and the community, as a whole, is invaluable,” he says. “These 406 international students from more than 40 countries help ensure that UW-L is training global leaders critical for the highly competitive, global diverse world we live in today.”"][/caption]

That’s the largest amount among colleges in Third Congressional District; UW-L third among UWs in international enrollment

International students at UW-La Crosse in 2011-12 contributed more than $9.2 million to the local economy according to NAFSA: The Association of International Educators. That’s the largest impact of among colleges in western Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District. And, the university’s 406 international students enrolled in classes at UW-L during the last academic year once again placed third in the UW System for the number of international students. UW-Madison leads with 4,840 international students; UW-Milwaukee is second with 1,230. The more than 400 international students at UW-L contributed an estimated $9,253,600 in tuition, fees and living expenses to the local economy. UW-Eau Claire was next at $5.9 million, followed by UW-Stevens Point at $5.6 million. Overall, international students at the seven universities in the Third Congressional District had a $30.5 million impact.      Locally, when added to the estimated nearly $1.1 million spent by Viterbo University’s 41 international students, the total impact of foreign students in La Crosse was around $10.4 million. Jay Lokken, UW-L director of International Education, says while the economic impact of the university’s international students is “impressive,” their impact to the community is priceless. “The positive impact that UW-L's international students are having on their classes, faculty, friends, the campus, area schools and the community, as a whole, is invaluable,” he notes. “These 406 international students from more than 40 countries help ensure that UW-L is training global leaders critical for the highly competitive, global diverse world we live in today.” Figures released by NAFSA are based on estimates from Wintergreen Orchard House and the Institute of International Education. NAFSA’s annual Economic Impact Statements estimates the amount of money foreign students bring to the U.S. to support their education. The report does not add a “multiplier effect” to the numbers, so the estimates are considered conservative.

Economic impact of international students in Wisconsin’s 3rd Congressional District

                               Number of Int’l Students         Estimated total impact UW-Eau Claire                258                                         $5,964,800 UW-La Crosse                 406                                         $9,253,600 UW-Platteville                    86                                         $1,859,800 UW-River Falls                  89                                          $1,932,400 UW-Stevens Point           256                                          $5,686,500 UW-Stout                          224                                          $4,728,400 Viterbo University             41                                           $1,161,800 Total impact on Congressional District:                    $30,587,300 Source — NAFSA: Association of International Educators