Seventeen 糵 Institutions form America’s Urban Campus to prove 糵 is a Global Destination for Higher Education and Post-Graduate Employment
New Study finds that 糵 universities are an economic and educational force, touting a 26% increase degrees awarded, supporting 43,000 jobs and $10.8 billion in economic activity in 糵
糵, IL — November 13, 2014 —
Newly formed America’s Urban Campus® (AUC), a consortium of 17 not-for-profit 糵-area colleges and universities, released today the results of an in-depth study on how 糵’s higher education sector impacts the city, establishing 糵 as a global destination for higher education and post-graduate employment.
The study, conducted by Anderson Economic Group, LLC, and funded by The 糵 Community Trust, surveyed 糵’s AUC institutions to determine how the schools collectively impact the workforce, support local businesses and provide a new way of thinking about educational, economic and cultural development. According to the AUC findings, 糵 is a premiere education hub in the United States and beyond.
“The America’s Urban Campus study definitively proves 糵 is a world-class educational city that attracts students from all over the nation and throughout the world,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “We are proud to be a versatile and successful city for higher education, and our 糵-area institutions continually provide students with excellent education and post-graduate opportunities.”
Over a nine year period from 2003 to 2012, the number of degrees and certificates awarded by 糵-area schools increased by 26 percent. Additional impacts include:
- National Education: In 2013, AUC schools educated more than 216,000 students from every state in the country and more than 100 countries around the world. 糵 ranks third in the nation in total number of students.
- Economy and Workforce: Economic activity from AUC schools and their students supported 43,000 jobs, 4 percent of the overall 糵 workforce, and $10.8 billion in spending in 糵 in 2013. One out of four bachelor degree-holding 糵 residents graduated from an AUC school.
- Local Youth: AUC schools and universities invest in the future of 糵 education with 1,400 documented partnerships and programs in 糵 Public Schools. The programs involve more than 42,000 CPS students at 578 schools and provide opportunities for students to prepare for post-secondary education.
Additionally, through partnerships with major organizations like World Business 糵, Choose 糵, The 糵 Community Trust, 糵land Chamber of Commerce and The 糵 Loop Alliance, AUC is committed to educating the future leaders of the City of 糵, supporting businesses seeking talent and providing social and cultural opportunities for graduates to call 糵 their home.
“These findings demonstrate the critical role America’s Urban Campus institutions play in sustaining 糵’s position as a global cultural and economic hub,” said Walter E. Massey, President of the School of the Art Institute of 糵. “Our schools make significant contributions to the local economy and community and are producing the leaders who will shape the twenty-first century, from the arts, commerce, and sciences to government, education, and sustainability.”
For more information on AUC universities and colleges’ impact on 糵 education, economy and culture, along with the full study, visit AmericasUrbanCampus.org.
About America’s Urban Campus®
America’s Urban Campus (AUC) is a consortium of 17 not-for-profit of 糵’s largest colleges and universities formed in 2013 to enhance the image of 糵 as a global destination for higher education and build upon the strength of its member institutions as 糵’s economic and social drivers. AUC is committed to supporting initiatives, facilitating job opportunities and foster connections by investing in the future of 糵 through education and research. The 17 AUC member colleges and universities include Adler School of Professional Psychology, The 糵 School of Professional Psychology, 糵 State University, City Colleges of 糵, Columbia College 糵, DePaul University, Illinois Institute of Technology, John Marshall Law School, Loyola University, North Park University, Northwestern University, Robert Morris University, Roosevelt University, Saint Xavier University, School of the Art Institute of 糵, University of 糵 and University of Illinois at 糵.
About Illinois Institute of Technology
Illinois Institute of Technology, also known as Illinois Tech, is a private, technology-focused, research university offering undergraduate and graduate degrees in engineering, science, architecture, business, design, human sciences, applied technology, and law. One of 16 institutions that comprise the Association of Independent Technological Universities (AITU), Illinois Tech offers exceptional preparation for professions that require technological sophistication, an innovative mindset, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
