Universities contribute more than $2 billion annually to the region’s economy, employing nearly 14,000 Atlantic Canadians in high quality, full-time jobs. In Nova Scotia, universities are the third largest export revenue sector behind tire manufacturing and seafood preparation & packaging ($886 million).

Nearly 71,000 full-time students study at the region’s 16 universities which graduate nearly 18,500 degree holders annually. Those graduates become the region’s future professionals, business & industry, community and government leaders.

Nearly 14,000 international students from over 160 countries study at the region’s universities. These highly qualified and motivated young people are the best source of new immigrants to Atlantic Canada.

Universities perform nearly 60% of the region's R&D (more than $200 million annually) and generate the new ideas, services and products that drive the knowledge economy.

Interuniversity Services Inc. (ISI) members channelled $76.3 million through member developed and ISI administered shared contracts. The real benefit of cooperation results in savings for all members.

Springboard's network of universities and community colleges connect publicly-funded research with industry experts across the region's private sector, helping create 53 new companies since 2005.

Interuniversity Services Inc. (ISI), a university-led collaborative purchasing and employee benefits coordinator, generates $4.3 million in annual savings.

Coordinating library services has improved information delivery among all universities in the region, with collective purchasing on digital journal subscriptions saving universities $234,000 in 2015.