The 22 private, nonprofit institutions that make up the Wisconsin Association of Independent Colleges and Universities – a group that includes Marquette – have a direct, positive economic impact across the state.
According to 2024 data compiled by WAICU and utilized in meetings with state and Congressional legislators:
- WAICU members produce more than 12,800 graduates annually, making up 23% of bachelor’s degrees and 33% of advanced degrees in the state with no direct operating support from taxpayers. Our colleges help expand the state workforce pipeline in high-demand occupations.
- Nearly 90% of graduates from WAICU institutions are employed or attend graduate school within a year of graduation. Two-thirds of those graduates work in Wisconsin, directly contributing to the state’s economy as active citizens and taxpayers.
- WAICU institutions are helping address Wisconsin’s need for more college graduates. There are over 73,000 job openings each year in Wisconsin that require a college degree, according to the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development. Yet, there are only 60,500 new graduates with an associate to doctoral degree in Wisconsin annually.
- WAICU members provide significant value to state taxpayers; on average, a four-year degree at Wisconsin private colleges costs state taxpayers $9,760 as opposed to $132,202 for public institutions.
WAICU schools also provide a crucial path for low-income and nontraditional college students, as well as students from underrepresented communities.
- WAICU institutions provide the largest portion of grant aid awarded to first-time, full-time undergraduate students. 97% of WAICU full-time undergraduate students receive financial aid, and 95% of undergraduates receive grant/scholarship aid on average, across all WAICU institutions. 80% of average financial aid packages are grants and scholarships that do not need to be paid back.
- 27% of WAICU undergraduates qualify for federal Pell Grants compared to 21% at Wisconsin’s public four-year universities.
- WAICU’s undergraduate student body has a larger percentage of students of color (32%) than Wisconsin’s public four-year universities (21%).
- 26% of all WAICU undergraduates are first-generation students.
- Students’ chances of graduating in four years are 31% greater on average at WAICU-member colleges and universities than at four-year public institutions, lowering the cost of college and helping graduates enter the workforce sooner.
Marquette is joined in WAICU by Alverno College, Bellin College, Carroll University, Cathage College, Concordia University Wisconsin, Edgewood College, Herzing University, Lakeland University, Lawrence University, Marian University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, the Milwaukee School of Engineering, Mount Mary University, Nashotah House Theological Seminary, Northland College, Ripon College, St. Norbert College, Viterbo and Wisconsin Lutheran College.
Independent higher education is a driving force for Wisconsin’s workforce readiness and vitality. Our institutions are inextricably linked to the future success of our state.
