A study released last week by the State Chamber Research Foundation shows Northwestern Oklahoma State University has a significant impact on local, regional and state economies.

The study showed Northwestern supported approximately $58.1 million in total economic output for FY2016, including direct expenditures of $43.8 million in spending by faculty, staff and students.

Included in direct expenditures are $6.8 million in spending from non-Oklahoma students.

The study concluded that Oklahoma’s system of higher education plays a large and increasingly important role in Oklahoma’s ongoing econom...