Kansas Independent College Association (KICA) today released the results of a study that estimates the impact of MidAmerica Nazarene University on the statewide economy is $84.8 million and sustains 764 jobs.

David J. Spittal, EdD, MNU president said, “Our faculty and staff are committed to our mission and the success of our students, but it is important to remember that MNU also plays a vital role in both the state and the regional economies. Our operations and the economic activity generated by our faculty, staff, and students touch virtually every corner of our local economy including education, hospitality, child day care services, and retail.”

The study was commissioned by KICA and conducted by Parker Philips, a nationally recognized consulting firm specializing in economic impact analysis. Nichole Parker, a principal partner at Parker Philips, said, “Economic impact is an objective way to measure the significance of an organization in the regional economy. MidAmerica Nazarene University clearly is a major contributor to the regional economy.”

In the analysis, the study considered the direct spending on operations, pay, benefits, and capital projects by MNU and the estimated increase in demand for goods and services in industry sectors that supply or support the university. The study also measured the effect of student spending and the induced effect of increased household income.

According to the study, a key result of this activity is that MNU supports and sustains 764 jobs including direct employment by the university as well as indirect and induced jobs created by supply and equipment vendors, contractors, and laborers for the construction and renovation of facilities, and jobs created in the community at hotels, restaurants, and retail stores in support of MNU’s faculty, staff, students, and visitors.

The study also calculated tax revenues generated by this level of economic activity, including sales, property, personal income, and corporate income taxes. The study concluded that MNU generates about $5.9 million in tax revenues for state and local government.

Nearly 11,000 alumni living and working in Kansas continue to make a positive economic impact after graduation. Each year, MNU alumni generate $186.2 million in economic output for the Kansas community.

“MidAmerica Nazarene University makes a long-term contribution to the regional economy with every graduating class because the productivity improvements from higher education last for the worker’s entire career,” Spittal said.

Statewide, all private, nonprofit colleges and universities, including all 20 members, plus the spending of its faculty, staff, and students, had a total statewide economic impact of $1.1 billion. This activity generated an estimated 8,269 jobs in the state. The economic impact report for MidAmerica Nazarene University is available at mnu.edu/mnu-impact.