Downers Grove Impact

Midwestern University’s Overall Economic Impact 
Downers Grove and DuPage County

Midwestern University in Downers Grove, Illinois, is committed to educating healthcare professionals and is proud to continue a long and dynamic history as one of the county and region’s significant economic engines. Recently, the University commissioned a comprehensive, independent analysis by Applied Economics, a specialized economics consulting firm, to determine its current and ongoing financial impact. The study revealed that Midwestern University has had a far-reaching effect on job creation, business development, personal income, tax revenues, and construction expenditures in the local economy. In addition to the University’s direct contribution of 640 full and part-time employees and $64.9 million in payroll, the spending impact of its students and employees, its vendors, and its campus visitors has provided a significant boost to many businesses throughout the county, region, and state. Through the continued growth of its programs and the development of its campus, Midwestern University’s economic impact will continue to have positive repercussions throughout many industry sectors.

$364.6 Million:

Midwestern University had an economic impact of over $364.6 million on the DuPage County Economy in 2014.

1,600 jobs – $74.5 Million in Payroll:

The University supported over 1,600 jobs and $74.5 million in payroll at other local businesses supported by the University, their employees, students, and campus visitors.

$9.1 Million:

Midwestern indirectly generated an estimated $9.1 million in state and local tax revenues. $1 Million Generates $2.4 Million: For every $1 million of output or value provided by MWU, an additional $2.4 million in economic activity is generated in DuPage County.

$123 Million:

Through their spending, the more than 2,900 students at Midwestern supported 970 jobs and created $39.2 million in personal income at local businesses in 2014. Total economic impact is $123 million.

Local Impact

Over $441 Million:

Since 1995, the University has invested over $441 million in Downers Grove in the construction of 12 buildings on 105 acres for its Downers Grove Campus. Over the next several years, Midwestern will make $92.6 million in construction expenditures for current and planned projects. The construction activity will create an economic impact of $146 million in DuPage County over the next eight years, along with supporting about 700 jobs and $52.5 million in personal income.

Vital Impressions

The service impact of a major university can be difficult to measure because the real significance to the surrounding community is so great. At Midwestern University, improving the lives and health of others through service has always been a vital piece of the campus philosophy. Since its early beginnings more than 100 years ago, MWU has made it a priority to help those in our community. “At Midwestern, service is not an elective course, but rather an integral part of the educational experience shared by students, faculty, and staff,” said Kathleen H. Goeppinger, Ph.D., President and Chief Executive Officer of Midwestern University.

“Service to others is not considered secondary to our mission of educating outstanding healthcare professionals, but rather it is a key component of a student’s academic preparation.”

Midwestern sponsors countless community service projects throughout the year, health fairs, health lectures series, health awareness seminars in schools, medical care for homeless, and physicals for high school athletes.

Despite their rigorous academic schedule, MWU students find the time to donate thousands of hours to a wide range of service projects. During the last academic year, students on both campuses volunteered at agencies such as:

• Advocate Hospice
• Advocate Good Samaritan Hospital
• American Cancer Society
• American Diabetes Association
• DuPage County Health
• Literacy DuPage
• People’s Resource Center
• REST Clinic
• Salvation Army
• Autism Society of Illinois
• Indian Boundary YMCA
• West Suburban Humane Society

In addition, the following longstanding service projects reflect just some of the ways MWU students, faculty and staff give back to the community every year:

Guatemala Mission, 50-100 volunteers 2,000-4,000 served

Community Health Fair, 150 volunteers, 200 served

Halloween Fest (safe trick or treating), 150 volunteers, 500-700 attendees

Easter Fest, 75 volunteers, 300-500 served

Seaspar Dance, 75 volunteers, 100 served

Breakfast with Santa for underprivileged students, 60 volunteers, 130 served Snow Day, 50 volunteers, 150-200 served

Reading Rockstars, 50 volunteers, 50-100 served

Since its founding in 1900 and Arizona in 1995, Midwestern University has continued to thrive throughout the decades, expanding to meet the ever-changing needs of society. This enviable position has allowed Midwestern University to continuous make an impact in the healthcare professions. Consider Midwestern’s far-reaching influence in recent numbers:

• More than 17,000 admissions applications are received each year to fill just 900 student seats
• Nearly 214 full-time faculty actively teach, conduct research, and mentor their future colleagues
• Over 360 full-time professional staff are employed to support the academic mission of the University
• The University’s Downers Grove Campus boasts more than 13,000 alumni who are working in leading hospitals, pharmacies, private practices, governmental agencies, academic institutions, and healthcare facilities throughout the nation
• Across both campuses, the University educates more than 6,000 students in 14 healthcare professions
• Our beautiful 105-acre campus in Downers Grove is located just 25 miles from downtown Chicago

In 2013, Midwestern University expansion included the state-of-the-art 193,000 square-foot Multispecialty Clinic in Downers Grove. The clinic includes the Dental Institute, a Family Medicine Practice, a Speech-Language Clinic, Physical Therapy Institute, Eye Institute, and other health services designed to meet the diverse healthcare needs of community members.

National Funding Supports Faculty Research and the Community at Large

Midwestern University faculty members conduct numerous research projects to help expand our scientific knowledge about health and medicine. These studies have earned financial support from agencies such as the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the American Medical Association Foundation, the American Heart Association, American Physical Therapy Association, and others. Midwestern University continues to fulfill its role in supporting faculty research efforts that benefit both the community at large and the future of healthcare.