The students, faculty, staff, and alumni of Wisconsin Lutheran College (WLC) make a meaningful economic impact on the Milwaukee area and the state of Wisconsin. This impact can be measured in terms of jobs, government revenue, charitable donations, and volunteer service.
In October 2014, WLC commissioned an independent third party, Tripp Umbach, to measure the economic, employment, and government revenue impacts of operations, research, and community service of WLC's Milwaukee campus and satellite locations. The overall economic and fiscal impact that WLC has on the vitality of the state and region includes the following elements:
- Economic impacts.
- The direct and indirect employment impacts of the college.
- The government revenue impact of WLC at the local and state levels.
- The impact of WLC alumni on the economy.
The results of the economic impact study show that operations of WLC positively affect Wisconsin residents, generating $44.9 million annually, with an employment impact of 597 jobs. WLC's significant impact in the Milwaukee-Waukesha-West Allis metropolitan statistical area totals $40.4 million annually, supporting 529 jobs.
State and local government revenues attributable to the presence of WLC totaled $2.5 million in the college's 2013-2014 fiscal year. Through WLC's local spending, as well as support of jobs, the presence of the college stabilizes and strengthens the local and statewide tax base. WLC is an integral part of the state's economy, generating revenue, jobs, and spending.
A key component of WLC's mission is to prepare students for lives of Christian leadership, which is evident in the report. It is estimated that the college's employees and students provide more than $2.7 million annually in charitable donations and volunteer services.