Private Colleges, Public Purpose: Securing Virginia’s Economic Future Through Nonprofit Higher Education

Chris Peace, president of Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia, writes:

Virginia’s accredited nonprofit private colleges and universities fulfill an important public purpose in strengthening local economies, creating jobs, and preparing the Commonwealth’s workforce for future success. The 28 members of the Council of Independent Colleges in Virginia (CICV) members employ nearly 30,000 Virginians and produce $2 billion in wages and benefits, with $157 million in state and local tax revenue and a $4.6 billion significant overall economic output. Degree production and talent retention meet the needs of an evolving workforce with students who are well-prepared for high-demand careers and contribute economically to communities across the state.