IMPACT YOU CAN MEASURE AND IMPACT BEYOND MEASURE
Earlier this year, IWU commissioned its first economic impact study since 2016 to better understand how the university’s mission translates into measurable outcomes across Indiana.
The results reveal a clear picture of IWU’s statewide influence through Christ-centered education, service, and innovation. That impact is reflected both in economic performance and in the lives of the people the university serves. At a time when many institutions face economic and enrollment uncertainty, IWU’s continued growth reflects the stability of its mission and the strength of its faith-driven leadership.
By the Numbers
The study found that IWU generates $649 million in annual economic activity across Indiana, supporting 3,510 jobs. In Grant County, Indiana, home to IWU’s Marion campus, the university contributes $231 million annually and sustains 1,420 jobs. In Marion County, which includes Indianapolis and IWU’s Indy North campus, the impact totals $117 million, supporting 520 jobs.
Even as a nonprofit university, IWU contributes nearly $19 million annually in state tax revenue. Together, these figures demonstrate IWU’s role as a significant contributor to Indiana’s economy, creating jobs, generating revenue, and strengthening local communities.
“WE ARE A MISSION-DRIVEN UNIVERSITY COMMITTED TO SERVING INDIANA AND THE MIDWEST THROUGH EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND SERVICE THAT BENEFITS INDIVIDUALS AND COMMUNITIES ALIKE.”
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JON KULAGA, PH.D.
IWU President
ECONOMIC IMPACT BY THE NUMBERS
STATE OF INDIANA
MILLION
JOBS
GRANT COUNTY
MILLION
JOBS
MARION COUNTY
MILLION
JOBS
DID YOU KNOW
IWU IS ONE OF THE LARGEST EMPLOYERS IN GRANT COUNTY, HOME TO IWU'S MARION CAMPUS
MILLION ANNUAL ALUMNI WAGE IMPACT STATEWIDE
MILLION ANNUAL TAX REVENUE GENERATED FOR THE STATE OF INDIANA
STATEWIDE ROI
Beyond the Numbers
While the financial data underscores IWU’s measurable contributions, the university’s broader impact is reflected in the lives of its people. More than 39,000 IWU alumni live and work in Indiana, serving as teachers, nurses, entrepreneurs, business leaders, and pastors. They shape classrooms, provide care, create jobs, and lead organizations that enhance the state’s quality of life.
Each data point in the study represents the ongoing influence of IWU’s students, faculty, and graduates, people whose work strengthens communities and advances the common good. The university’s mission-driven approach ensures that education at IWU produces both economic and social value across Indiana.
A Lasting Impact
Jon Kulaga, Ph.D., IWU president, noted that the findings affirm the university’s distinctive role.
“IWU is not simply an academic institution,” Kulaga said. “We are a mission-driven university committed to serving Indiana and the Midwest through education, research, and service that benefits individuals and communities alike.”
The study confirms IWU’s dual role as an anchor for local and state economies and as a university that equips graduates to make lasting contributions to their communities. Even in a time of uncertainty for higher education, IWU remains a vital force for growth and service across Indiana and beyond.