Econsult Solutions, Inc. (ESI) was hired to perform an economic impact study for the University of Notre Dame, a prestigious private Catholic institution in South Bend, Indiana. This included municipal, countywide, regional, and statewide economic impacts, as well as examining fiscal impacts in Indiana.
Using industry-standard IMPLAN modeling software, ESI created a custom input-output model to calculate impacts from direct spending (operations and capital investments), ancillary spending (students and visitors), athletics events, and the university’s alumni wage premium (the increased lifetime earnings of its alumni). The analysis was conducted at four geographic levels: Notre Dame’s campus + City of South Bend, St. Joseph County, the South Bend-Elkhart Region (St. Joseph, Marshall, and Elkhart counties), and the State of Indiana.
ESI also evaluated Notre Dame’s qualitative impact on the region through research and innovation, community engagement, and social contributions in alignment with its Catholic values.
ESI found that the University of Notre Dame generates $3.3 billion in annual economic impact within the region, supporting almost 21,000 jobs and generating $139 million in state tax revenues.
Key findings include:
Athletics continues to have big impacts of $243 million in annualized regional economic output from athletics events (particularly football), supporting nearly 1,800 jobs. In addition, the Notre Dame alumni working in Indiana earn an estimated $172 million more annually due to their Notre Dame education, generating $183 million in annual economic impact and supporting 950 additional jobs within the State.
Notre Dame draws significant talent to the region, with many graduates choosing to remain in Indiana after graduation. The University also serves as a catalyst for regional innovation and entrepreneurship through initiatives like the IDEA Center, which has supported 167 startups between FY2018 and FY2024, raising over $258 million in venture capital.
As an anchor institution deeply committed to its Catholic values, Notre Dame contributes substantially to the region through community engagement, research, and social initiatives, reinforcing its mission to be a force for good in the world.