Economic Impact of the University of Illinois Springfield

UIS creates a significant positive impact on the state and area economy and generates a return on investment to its major stakeholder groups—students, taxpayers and society.

Using a two-pronged approach that involves an economic impact analysis and an investment analysis, a study conducted by Lightcast (formerly EMSI), a nationally known research firm specializing in economic impact studies for colleges and universities, calculated that:

UIS added $694.2 million in income to the Illinois economy in fiscal year 2021. The university’s impact supports 6,909 jobs.

July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021

Students who invest in a UIS education will see a return of $5.40 in higher earnings for every $1 invested in their education. Their average annual rate of return is $18.9%.

Overall, UIS creates value by increasing consumer spending in the state and supplying a steady flow of qualified, trained workers to the workforce; enriches lives of students by raising their lifetime earnings; benefits taxpayers through increased tax receipts and a reduced demand for social services; creates a more prosperous economy; and generates a variety of savings through the improved lifestyles of students.

Investment Analysis

For every $1...

Students gain $5.40 in lifetime earnings

Taxpayers gain $3.20 in added tax revenue and public sector savings

Society gains $7.20 in added income and social savings

The average bachelor's degree graduate from UIS will see an increase in earnings of $31,700 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Illinois.

Economic Impact Reports

Economic value of the University of Illinois Springfield

UIS Economic Impact Infographic FY21

Find information about the Economic Impact of the University of Illinois System.