A new study from Indiana University demonstrated that IU Northwest adds $264 million in income, and supports 4,138 jobs, in Northwest Indiana each year. The “Economic Value of Indiana University” study also found that:
- For every $1 students invest in their education at IU Northwest, they receive $3.90 in higher future earnings, taxpayers gain $1.30 in tax revenue and society gains $8.50.
- The average bachelor’s degree graduate from IU Northwest sees an increase in earnings of $20,100 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Indiana.
- The impact of the increased earnings of IU Northwest alumni and the businesses they work for is equal to an economic boost similar to hosting the World Series 37 times.
According to Chancellor Iwama, the findings support the university’s role as an anchor institution. In a recent Post-Tribune article, he acknowledged the tremendous value of an IU degree, and encouraged students on the fence about enrolling in college to act now. “Every year you are holding off, you’re losing out on your investment in yourself,” he said.
“Part of my job here is really to stand on every mountaintop and to tell people this,” he said about the findings, adding that the university will use them as a baseline for future strategic plans.
The study was commissioned by Indiana University and conducted by Emsi, a leading provider of economic impact studies and labor market data to educational institutions in the U.S. and internationally. Applying a conservative methodology and using only the most recognized indicators of economic impact and investment effectiveness, the study examined the economic impacts of IU’s spending across the state’s major industries and the costs associated with IU educational activities from the perspective of students, taxpayers, and society at large.
Learn more
For a deeper dive into the data, review the following materials: