Alumni who graduate from Queens College generate $1.5 billion a year in income tax revenue for the New York metro region’s economy — and provide a huge return on taxpayer financing of the campus, a new study released Tuesday found.

About 85 percent of Queens College alums live or are employed in the Big Apple or surrounding suburbs including New Jersey and Connecticut, the study commissioned by the college found.

“Queens College graduates are also more productive at work than people who end their education at high school, are more likely to be employed, less likely to commit crimes, and generally lead healthier lives than less educated people, resulting in quantifiable savings to society at large,” Queens College Interim President William Tramontano said in a campus letter about the report.

The analysis, conducted by the labor marketing firm Emsi, also revealed that Queens College generates another $300 million in revenue to New York by supporting 16,862 campus-related jobs and spending on capital projects and research as well as outlays by students.

“For every $1 spent by taxpayers, QC provides a return on investment of $4.90,” Tramantano said, citing the study.

The analysis used figures for the 2017-2018 school year.

Queens College is part of the City University of New York.

The report’s findings come as Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature negotiate spending for higher education in the new 2021 state budget, which is due April 1. Cuomo proposed that CUNY and SUNY chip in more funds privately to cover the cost of campus capital construction projects.