Loyola University Chicago engaged Econsult Solutions, Inc. to quantify its comprehensive economic and social impact across local, county, and state economies. The study translated the university’s mission into economic and social terms, measuring the significance of having a Jesuit, Catholic R1 research university anchored in metropolitan Chicago. The analysis examined four channels of economic activity: annual operations; capital investments; visitor and student spending; and the wage premium earned by the university’s graduates.
ESI employed IMPLAN input-output modeling software to estimate the direct, indirect, and induced economic impacts generated by the university’s activities. Data inputs were provided by the institution and supplemented with verified public sources, utilizing fiscal year 2025 datasets. Impacts were assessed at three concentric geographic levels: the city of Chicago; Cook County; and the state of Illinois. The methodology captured indirect impacts resulting from supply chain spending on goods and services, and induced impacts stemming from labor income rippling through the regional economy. Research funding sources, alumni earnings data, and student and visitor spending profiles were analyzed to produce a comprehensive picture of the institution’s economic footprint.
The study found that the university generates approximately $3 billion in total economic impact across Illinois, supporting 13,500 full-time equivalent jobs and more than $110 million in state and local tax revenues. Within Chicago, Loyola produces approximately $1.7 billion in economic impact, supporting 21,400 jobs. Loyola achieved R1 status in 2025 – spending more than $51 million in research expenditures. An analysis of available alumni information found that there are approximately 66,000 Loyola graduates working across Illinois, representing a meaningful source of economic value.