LANSING, Mich. (Sept. 17, 2008) – The Research Universities for Michigan (RU4M) is an alliance of Michigan’s three largest academic institutions: Michigan State University, the University of Michigan, and Wayne State University. In 2007 the RU4M universities asked Anderson Economic Group to undertake the first comprehensive study that benchmarks the economic impact of the RU4M’s activities on Michigan’s economy. This 2008 report is the second in a series of annual reports. While many benchmarks will likely not show large changes from year to year, over time these reports will reveal trends.

The RU4M had 135,816 students enrolled in the fall of 2007. This is an increase of 5.8% from the fall of 2001, and 1.9% higher than 2006. The students at the RU4M universities are drawn from throughout Michigan and around the world. Students from Michigan accounted for 77% of total enrollment in the fall of 2007, while 14% came from elsewhere in the U.S. and the remaining 9% came from other countries or territories. The RU4M has students from every county in Michigan, every state, and more than 150 countries.