The University of Illinois System is more than a network of campuses. It is a statewide engine of progress. In a recent external analysis, the system generated $24.9 billion in economic impact, fueling jobs, innovation, healthcare, and opportunity in every region of Illinois. That return is measured not only in dollars, but in stronger communities, healthier families, and brighter futures.

With 37,600 employees and more than 225,000 jobs supported, the U of I System drives prosperity far beyond classrooms and labs. Every investment pays off: Students turn education into lifelong opportunity, alumni add $18 billion to the state economy, and discoveries spark new businesses and improve lives.

This is more than numbers. It is students shaping patents, graduates building enterprises, and alumni strengthening communities. When Illinois invests in higher education, the impact reaches everyone — in every region and every generation.

Using annual/yearly data, the following pages detail the enormous impact of the University of Illinois System.