KICA's member institutions generate a positive impact on the Kansas economy and create lifelong benefits for their students.

In 2022, KICA commissioned a group of independent researchers at Parker Philips to create a study titled "Kansas Independent Colleges: Essential Drivers of Impact and Growth for Kansas” The study examines the impact of KICA's members on the state economy and the benefits generated by these institutions for students, for society, and for taxpayers.

The colleges and universities that comprise the Kansas Independent College Association contributed over $1.1 billion to the state’s economy in FY 2021, according to an economic contribution analysis released today by the Kansas Independent College Association. The study further concludes that the economic activity of the system supported or sustained 8,271 jobs throughout the state.

Read the Full Report Here.

How does KICA’s $1.1 billion in economic impact compare? According to Kansas Ag Statistics, Kansas ranks third in the
country in the exports of beef and veal. That impact was ALSO $1.1 billion in 2020. Meanwhile, Kansas State Parks have an
impact of $287.4 million, while Google has an impact of $1.92 billion. 

How do the 8,271 jobs supported and sustained by KICA members compare? Similar Kansas employers include 
Houlihan's Restaurants Headquarters of Leawood with 8,061 jobs, Towne Parke Headquarters of Wichita with 8,053 jobs,
and Associated Wholesale Grocers Headquarters of Kansas City with 5,500 jobs.

So, what is the impact of KICA member student spending? Our network's impact includes $195.4 million in student spending,
which is an average of $8,599 per student. This is the equivalent of each student investing in a home theater system + a large-screen LCD HDTV + a computer + two year’s worth of digital cable and Internet. Or they could buy 1,333 Pumpkin Spice Lattes. They could all remodel a bathroom, or buy a 2008 sedan.