Economic Impact
SIUE is a key force in the economic development of the region, particularly the Metro East and Southwestern Illinois. Since an educated workforce attracts new and vital business, SIUE's presence leads to improvement in the local economy. SIUE prepares students to become professionals in their fields of study, as well as engaged citizens and leaders in their community.
The University publishes an economic impact report every five years. The next study will be published in 2020.
Fiscal Year 2019 Highlights
Wages and Salaries
- SIUE’s payroll has increased by nearly $20 million (about 14%) since FY 2010.
- During FY 2018, about 90% of total payroll (about $134 million) was paid to employees in the St. Louis MSA. About 77% of total payroll ($114 million) was paid to employees in the Metro East.
- Based upon previous SIUE economic impact studies, about half of this payroll will be spent in the St. Louis MSA. Expenditures by the 5,000-plus SIUE employees generate over 1,000 additional jobs in the region and generate a total annual economic impact of nearly $150 million.
Students
- Based upon previous surveys, students report spending on average about $11,000 per-year in the region on food, rent, household items, and entertainment. Given current enrollments, this would translate into about $150 million of annual expenditures in the region.
- Based upon previous surveys, students report having an average of seven visits from outside of the region each year, spending an average of about $300 per visit. Based upon previous economic impact studies, this generates a total economic impact in the region of about $30 million.
Construction
- The recent $32 million renovation of Science East and the $50 million construction of Science West were multi-year projects that generated sizable economic impact for the region. Based upon prior economic impact studies, these projects created—conservatively—an average annual economic impact of well over $13 million per year and added about 100 jobs to the St. Louis region.
- The current and ongoing $34 million renovation to Founders Hall will have a similar average annual impact.
- Aside from special projects of this type, the University makes other facility investments on an ongoing basis. These new construction and major renovations average over $13 million per year. Based upon previous economic impact studies, these ongoing construction expenditures create—conservatively—about 100 jobs in the region and generate an annual economic impact of over $17 million.
Athletic Events
- SIUE hosts about 90 ticketed athletic events each school year. While attendance fluctuates from year-to-year, during the most recently completed year, nearly 50,000 fans attended these events. Attendance at these events more than doubled between 2005 and 2015.
- Based upon previous economic impact studies, about 15% of these fans—over 7,000—were from outside of the St. Louis region. These fans, coaches, and players from outside of the region spend about $400,000 in the area on hotels, restaurant meals, and transportation, generating more than $1 million of economic impact each year.
Alumni
- There are an estimated 56,654 SIUE alumni living in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. According to the latest government data, residents of the region with a bachelor’s degree earn about $21,000 a year (about 67%) more than area residents with only a high school diploma. That’s more than $1 billion a year of extra earnings.
2015 Economic Impact Study
In 2015, faculty in the School of Business completed an economic impact study for SIUE. The University boasts a regional economic impact of more than $514 million in the 2015 report, a nine percent increase since 2010. For every state dollar spent on the University, SIUE generates $8.60 of economic impact in the local economy.
More than half of SIUE’s 95,000 alumni live in the region, while historic amounts of new students are moving to the area to pursue higher education at the University. SIUE is the second largest employer in the Madison-St. Clair County region. The total number of regional jobs generated by the University expanded from 8,800 in 2010 to 9,200 in 2015.
Other prominent facts detailed in the study:
- The University received $40 million in grants and contracts for research, teaching and service initiatives during FY14.
- As a result of SIUE athletics, expenditures in the region nearly doubled from $249,000 in 2010 to $497,000 in 2015.
- SIUE generated more than $24 million in state and local tax revenues.
- The University has spent more than $160 million on construction projects since 2010.
Methodology and analysis information are provided to further explain the study. Measuring the current economic impact of SIUE includes the review of incomes and expenditures of relevant constituencies.
SIUE adds value to people's lives. From direct and tangible benefits to quality of life considerations, SIUE is a community partner dedicated to fostering a climate of collaboration, cooperation and stewardship.
