An economic development consulting firm based in New York City measured Brown's impact on Rhode Island's economy at nearly $400 million in 1998 - 1.4 percent of the gross state product.
From all over the world people flocked to Brown to see their loved ones graduate last month - so they needed a place to stay, something to eat and transportation.
Visitors to the University spend upward of $3 million a year on lodging, meals, entertainment and other services, according to a new independent study detailing Brown's wide-ranging impact on the local economy.
The study, titled "Partners for the 21st Century: Brown University's Economic Contributions to Providence and Rhode Island," was released last month at a reception to celebrate the University's relationship with the city and the state.
Produced by Appleseed Inc., an economic development consulting firm based in New York City, the report measured Brown's impact on Rhode Island's economy at nearly $400 million in 1998 - 1.4 percent of the gross state product.
In addition to visitors, Brown students purchase goods and services - routine living expenses total nearly $24 million a year - and the University purchases goods and services. In 1998, Brown bought over $65 million in goods and services from Rhode Island companies. The University spent an additional $30.4 million on goods and services to Providence companies.
Also during the last five years Brown spent an average $29 million a year to construct new facilities - a figure that is expected to increase during the next five years to an average $40 million a year.
But Brown's impact can also be measured in another way: With 3,300 regular employees, the University is Providence's second-largest employer.
More than half of Brown's $400 million impact - $220 million - was in salaries and wages. About 81 percent of Brown's regular employees live within Rhode Island; 38 percent in Providence.
As an employer, Brown contributes to the state's coffers. The state income taxes withheld from the salaries of Brown employees, combined with state disability insurance premiums and payments for unemployment insurance, totaled $7.4 million in 1998.
And Brown's medical school faculty play a unique role in the delivery of health services in Rhode Island as part of the state's only medical school.
Some 1,700 physicians - more than half of all those practicing in the state - are on the clinical faculty of the School of Medicine.
Brown and its affiliated hospitals have made Providence a leading center of medical research - with research spending totaling $74 million in 1998. Of the top 50 voluntary hospitals nationwide, ranked in terms of federal research funding, five are affiliates of the School of Medicine.
School of Medicine residents at affiliated hospitals provide the bulk of uncompensated care in Rhode Island, saving the state a substantial financial burden.
The impact cannot always be measured in dollars, however.
The quality of a city or region's human capital - the accumulated knowledge and skills of its people - is one of the most important determinants of economic growth and development, according to the report.
Brown helps develop the state's human capital by educating Rhode Island residents and by attracting students who remain in the state after graduating. Nearly 6,800 Brown alumni call the Ocean State home; 118 are CEOs of Rhode Island companies.
Behind all of the numbers are stories. "Clearly, Brown makes a significant economic contribution to our city and our state. But for every statistic we can quote there are scores of intangible aspects to this relationship that are equally impressive," said Laura Freid, executive vice president of public affairs and University relations, the office which commissioned the study in January.
"The cultural, intellectual and social life of our city and state is enhanced by Brown's many exhibits, performances and public lectures, and our community life is bolstered by the extraordinary volunteer service performed by our students."