On the Public Good of Public Research Universities

Public research universities are anchors of stability and growth in their regions—vital to economic development and the creative economy. Not only do they educate nearly four million Americans each year, including about 900,000 graduate students, they are responsible for conducting much of the nation’s research in science, medicine, engineering, and technology. And, as centers of cultural learning, featuring museums and theaters, these universities enhance the quality of life in communities nationwide. These are some of the findings from Public Research Universities: Serving the Public Good, a new publication released from the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.