Campus Connection

That’s more than double of any other western Wisconsin higher ed institution. International students attending UW-L 2009-10 contributed just over $8.4 million to the local economy according to NAFSA:?The Association of International Educators. That’s the largest impact of any college in western Wisconsin’s Third Congressional District. The 383 international students enrolled in classes at UW-L during the last academic year contributed an estimated $8,454,900 in tuition, fees and living expenses. That’s the largest impact among western Wisconsin’s higher education institutions. UW-Stout in Menomonie was next at just over $4.1 million, followed by UW-Eau Claire at just over $3.3 million. Overall, international students at the eight colleges in the district had nearly a $20.1 million impact. Locally, when added to the estimated more than $1.1 million spent by Viterbo University’s international students and the nearly $260,000 spent by those at Western Technical College, the total impact of foreign students at La Crosse’s three institutions of higher education is more than $9.5 million. Jay Lokken, director of International Education at UW-L, says UW-L international students’ economic impact to continues to grow because of the school’s success in recruiting. The economic impact is impressive, but Lokken says the students’ effect on campus is valued even more. “Like the famous Mastercard commercial, I believe that the global perspective and diversity international students bring to UW-L, the community and Wisconsin is ‘priceless,’” says Lokken. “The positive impact that UW-L's international students are having on their classes, faculty, friends, the campus, area schools and community as a whole is invaluable.” UW-L?maintains its fourth place rank among all state colleges in having the most international students. UW-L falls behind only UW-Madison, UW-Milwaukee and Marquette University. Figures released by NAFSA are based on estimates from Wintergreen Orchard House and the Institute of International Education. NAFSA’s annual Economic Impact Statements estimate 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 Third Congressional District School..........Number of Int’l Students ..........Estimated total impact

• Chippewa Valley Technical College       *  $54,500
• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire    159  $3,375,500
• University of Wisconsin-La Crosse     383  $8,454,900
• University of Wisconsin-Platteville       60  $1,294,000
• University of Wisconsin-River Falls      84  $1,867,900
• University of Wisconsin-Stout            195  $4,191,000
• Viterbo University                             43  $1,181,600
• Western Technical College                 *     $260,900

Total impact on Congressional District: $20,680,200 *?Fewer than 10 students Source— NAFSA:?Association of International Educators Read more about international education at UW-L.