How Many Higher-Education Jobs Stimulus Saved Remains Unclear

Writing in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Eric Kelderman analyzes the recent White House OMB report on jobs saved by the federal stimulus package. Kelderman also spoke with a number of higher education officials in various states. The Nevada System of Higher Education, for example, counts approximately 2,100 jobs supported by the stimulus.

Daniel J. Hurley, director of state relations and policy analysis at the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, said the public should definitely scrutinize how states and institutions are spending the stimulus money.

At the same time, however, he has little doubt that the increased federal support has largely done its job of preventing job losses.

"The recovery act certainly has done what was intended, by helping the institutions bridge the gap," Mr. Hurley said. "I don't think the money was actually a jobs stimulus, but it definitely has been a jobs-retention bill."