Study Released on EIU's Impact on the Economy

Eastern Illinois University has released the results of its 2024 Economic Impact Study, which shows the university's contributions to the area and state economies.

The study shows that EIU:

--generates more than $371 million in economic activity through the university's operations and employments, capital improvement projects, and growth partnerships, student spending and tourism dollars

--creates and sustains more than 4,540 jobs for local and regional communities

--supports almost $54 million in additional public revenues

Other findings of the study:

--annual spending by on- and off-campus students averaged almost $4,000 per student

--almost 1,300 EIU retirees reside in Illinois, contributing annuities totaling $57 million annually

--EIU programs and events attract attendance and participation of close to 115,000 annually, including 41,000 non-local visistors who contribute $9 million to the region in annual tourism dollars

EIU conducted the study with the help of Western Illinois University's Rural Economic Technical Assistance Center.