One of my favorite aspects of serving as president of Aurora University is engaging with our community — whether at a business breakfast, leadership forum, or new student orientation.
In every setting, conversations about the value of higher education naturally emerge, particularly around cost, career readiness, and long-term impact.
Higher education is one of the most powerful catalysts for personal and professional growth. At AU, we are committed to providing students with the knowledge, experiences, and connections that open doors to opportunity — while ensuring an AU education remains affordable and accessible.
As you will see in this report, AU’s influence extends beyond the classroom, driving economic growth across Illinois. Our graduates shape the workforce, strengthen communities, and support thousands of jobs across industries, including healthcare, education, business, and technology.
This past year has been one of remarkable progress. We launched our strategic plan, “AUnity: Fulfilling Our Promise,” a bold vision that will shape the future of AU through 2030. This plan prioritizes student success, innovation, and institutional growth, ensuring that AU continues to meet the evolving needs of learners and employers alike. We also moved forward with efforts to expand hybrid learning opportunities, integrate career readiness into academics, build more partnerships with employers, and embrace emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence.
Our commitment to access and affordability remains steadfast. We are dedicated to reducing barriers to higher education through scholarships, partnerships, and student support initiatives that allow individuals from all backgrounds to pursue their aspirations, fulfill their purpose, and advance their socioeconomic mobility.
As a result, the majority of our recent graduates are employed or pursuing advanced studies, entering the workforce with confidence, adaptability, and a commitment to innovation and collaboration. They are ready to embrace the future of work, including the uncertainties it holds, the rapid pace of change, and the need to be part of diverse working environments.
This report provides a look at the difference we’ve made together. Your support strengthens our core mission: to provide a transformative educational experience that empowers students to thrive personally and professionally. And for that, I sincerely thank you.
With gratitude,
Susana Rivera-Mills, PhD President
Boosting the Economic Vitality of Illinois
Aurora University plays a crucial role in driving economic prosperity in Illinois by supplying a well-educated workforce, fostering business productivity, and generating tax revenue. Through its operations, student spending, and, most significantly, its alumni, AU contributes $1.3 billion in added income to the Illinois economy annually — equivalent to supporting 17,215 jobs.
By preparing students for successful careers, retaining talent within the state, and increasing the productivity of the workforce, AU ensures a strong return on investment for Illinois businesses, taxpayers, and society at large.
Alumni: The Greatest Economic Impact
The most substantial contribution AU makes to Illinois comes from its alumni, who apply their education to drive workforce productivity and improve the quality of life for Illinois residents.
Former AU students working in Illinois contribute $1.2 billion in added income per year, supporting 16,297 jobs. They work as nurses, social workers, teachers, scientists, entrepreneurs, accountants, business leaders, cybersecurity experts, detectives, athletic trainers, medical professionals, and more. By equipping students with specialized skills, AU enhances the labor force, allowing businesses to expand and innovate.
The long-term return on investment of an AU education is significant. A graduate with a bachelor’s degree from AU earns an average of $31,700 more annually than an Illinois worker with a high school diploma, amounting to $1.2 million in increased lifetime earnings. In total, the present value of AU students’ cumulative future increased earnings is estimated at $795.5 million, yielding a benefit-cost ratio of 4.7 — meaning that for every dollar students invest in their education, they receive $4.70 in higher future earnings.
FISCAL YEAR 2022–2023
Economic Impact of AU $1.3 billion
AU’s economic impact in Illinois 17,215
TOP INDUSTRIES IMPACTED (JOBS SUPPORTED)
Jobs supported in Illinois 5,398 Healthcare and Social Assistance 2,392 Other Services (except Public Administration) 2,229
$31,700
Average increase in annual earnings of an AU graduate with a bachelor’s degree compared with a high school graduate working in Illinois
The Value of an AU Degree
STUDENTS EXPERIENCE A HIGH RATE OF RETURN ON THEIR INVESTMENT IN AU.
20.2%
Average annual return for AU students
10.1%
Stock market 30-year average annual return
0.5%
Interest earned on savings account (national deposit rate)
Students gain $4.70 in lifetime earnings.
Society gains $16.70 in added income and social savings. FOR EVERY $1 …
IN TOTAL …
Taxpayers gain $350.4 million in added tax revenue and public sector savings.
Social Benefits in Illinois from AU
$2.2 billion in added student income
$50.6 million in added income from AU activities
Total benefits to society
$312.8 million in social savings $3.1 billion
$511.7 million in added business income
Supporting the Illinois Economy Through Spending
AU also contributes to Illinois’ economy through direct expenditures and the economic activity generated by its students:
» Operations Spending: AU adds economic value to Illinois as an employer of in-state residents and a large-scale buyer of goods and services. The university’s operational spending adds $45.2 million in income to the state.
» Student Spending: AU attracts students from outside Illinois and retains in-state students who may otherwise leave. The expenditures of these relocated and retained students — on housing, food, and transportation — generate $4.8 million in added income to the state economy.
Taxpayer and Societal Returns
As a private institution with a public mission, AU delivers substantial benefits to Illinois taxpayers. Society as a whole in Illinois benefits from the presence of AU as AU students raise economic prosperity in Illinois. Over the working lives of AU students, the state will gain $350.4 million in added tax revenue and public sector savings due to lower crime rates, reduced welfare dependency, and improved public health. In summary, for every dollar invested in AU, the people of Illinois receive $16.70 in return.
Results reflect employee, student, and financial data provided by AU for fiscal year 2022–2023, along with a variety of sources, surveys, and models used in “The Economic Value of Aurora University to Illinois” report published January 2025 by Lightcast, a labor market analytics company. For a full description of the data and approach used, please contact AU for a copy of the main report.
Aurora University launched its new strategic plan, “AUnity: Fulfilling Our Promise,” a forward-looking roadmap designed to shape the university’s future through 2030. This ambitious five-year plan ensures that AU continues to provide accessible, high-quality, student-centered education while addressing the evolving needs of learners, employers, and the higher education landscape.
The plan calls for promoting a culture of belonging, collaboration, and active participation, while rethinking traditional models of education. It is structured around four key pillars:
Learn and Thrive
Strengthen the learning experience and outcomes.
Strengthen and Expand
Build capacity and institutional infrastructure.
Innovate and Resource
Optimize fiscal health and maximize new revenue generation.
Engage and Value
Promote a culture of inclusion, collaboration, and active participation.
This strategic plan represents AU’s commitment to adaptability, innovation, and student success, positioning the university as a leader in shaping the future of higher education. Here are key initiatives underway that will shape AU in the years ahead.
Key Strategic Initiatives
» Hybrid Learning and Lifelong Learning
AU is broadening hybrid learning opportunities, blending in-person and online education to meet the needs of working students. The newly established Lifelong Learning and Innovation Center will strengthen partnerships with employers and community colleges, expanding credentialing and alternative learning pathways.
» Career Readiness and Workforce Integration
The Skills Infusion Program aligns academic coursework with employer expectations, ensuring students develop critical professional skills. Partnerships with businesses will further integrate real-world experiences into the curriculum.
» Becoming an Employer of Choice
AU is reshaping its human resources department into the Office of People and Culture, focusing on employee engagement, professional growth, and workplace satisfaction. New initiatives include faculty externships, employee surveys, and expanded onboarding processes.
» Global and Civic Engagement
AU created an Office of Global Engagement to foster international learning experiences both inside and outside the classroom. Additionally, AU is deepening its role in community service and civic participation through partnerships with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and government agencies. The AU student body contributes more than 14,000 hours of volunteer service to the community each year.
A Year of Highlights
President’s Advisory Council
To support students’ career readiness, the university launched the President’s Advisory Council of External Relations (PACER), a think tank of industry leaders and experts dedicated to shaping the future of the workforce, enhancing economic impact, and fostering strategic partnerships that benefit both students and organizations. PACER brings together leaders from top-tier firms across many fields — including technology, professional services and consulting, financial services and wealth management, healthcare, sciences, and more — to bridge industry and higher education.
Lifelong Learning and Innovation Center
The Lifelong Learning and Innovation Center opened in pursuit of making learning accessible to everyone. The center comprises AU Online, the Center for Graduate Studies, the Office of Strategic Partnerships, and the Office of Strategic Learning Innovation. Through the center, AU is expanding lifelong learning opportunities with community colleges, corporations, and other outside partners. The center is creating programs for learners to accumulate certifications and alternative credentials that allow them to build progressively more advanced skills and meet employers’ expectations. It is also providing faculty and curriculum development support with the goal of strengthening and expanding the learning experience for all AU learners.
Scholarships for Certified Addiction Counselors
More than $1 million in scholarships and other support was awarded to 39 AU social work students pursuing their substance abuse counselor credentials. The funding comes amid rising demand for social workers trained to address the ongoing overdose crisis in Illinois. The scholarships are funded by a grant from the Illinois Certification Board’s Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor (CADC) Workforce Expansion Program. The grant includes tuition, internship stipends, child care, transportation, and other aid. The recipients were online and oncampus social work students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
Educating Career Changers in Nursing
AU celebrated the graduation of the inaugural class of Direct-Entry Master in Science in Nursing students. This intensive, two-year accredited program, which debuted in fall 2022, is designed for people who have a bachelor’s degree in another field and aspire to transition into nursing. By offering a direct pathway to a master’s in nursing, the program uniquely positions career changers to enter the healthcare sector equipped with advanced skills and knowledge, while also contributing to society’s pressing need for more skilled nurses.
Strengthening Communities with the Service-Oriented Professions
AU has a long tradition of preparing students for careers that strengthen communities and address critical workforce shortages. The university has been educating teachers since the 1930s, training nurses since the 1940s, and equipping social workers since the 1970s. Today, AU continues this legacy through innovative programs in nursing, education, and social work, ensuring graduates are ready to make an immediate impact. By expanding pathways to these essential careers, AU is staying true to its mission of service and leadership while helping to fill jobs in high-demand roles.
Partnerships with Local School Districts to Create More Teachers
In an effort to help address the ongoing teacher shortage, AU has partnered with local school districts to make it easier for K-12 educators to earn their credentials while actively teaching in their communities. Programs with East Aurora School District 131 and Oswego Community Unit School District 308 allow employees with a bachelor’s degree in any subject to earn an AU master’s degree in elementary education. Similar partnerships are expanding in Kane and DuPage counties, including a much-needed focus on training teachers in special education and English as a second language.
91% of class of 2023 graduates, with a known state of employment, are working in Illinois
in top performers on social mobility (U.S. News & World Report)
84% of 2023 graduates are employed or attending graduate school The average student loan debt at AU is 18% lower than the national average of four-year institutions
Infusing Career Skills Into the Classroom
Aurora University is pioneering a career skills infusion program, bridging the gap between classroom learning and employer expectations by aligning coursework with the National Association of Colleges and Employers’ eight career readiness competencies. The NACE competencies are skills that are expected by employers across all sectors of the economy:
The goal of AU’s new Skills Infusion Program is to help students better identify and talk about these core competency skills, many of which they are already learning in the classroom. At the same time, AU has introduced the Faculty Externship Program, which offers hands-on opportunities for professors to bridge the gap between academic knowledge and industry practice, all while supporting their ongoing commitment to student success.
AU has begun working to embed the development of workplace competencies throughout academic programs so that in addition to achieving learning outcomes and mastering course content, students also graduate with the core skills that transcend a specific major or industry.
“The No. 1 skill I look for in an entry-level employee just out of college is a positive attitude with the ability to communicate effectively. These communication skills include using both verbal and writing skills to make clear, concise points in a team setting.”
—JOHN DIEDERICH, PRESIDENT AND CEO, RUSH COPLEY MEDICAL CENTER
Partnering with Industry
To further boost AU students’ career readiness, AU is working with corporate and community leaders to address workforce challenges and identify hiring trends and career skills gaps. The initiatives, happening across campus, foster mutually beneficial partnerships through paid internships, sponsorships, mentoring, scholarships, and professional networking opportunities. These efforts ensure that students graduate not only with technical expertise, but also with the transferable, core skills that employers seek.
Embracing New Technologies to Drive Student Success
Aurora University is integrating emerging technologies — including artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality — into academic programs to equip students with the skills necessary to excel in a rapidly evolving workforce. Coupled with online platforms and hybrid models, these technologies can bridge gaps in access to high-quality education, ensuring that learning is available to all students, no matter where they are.
Tapping Virtual Reality for Hands-On Learning
Over the past year, dozens of professors have integrated immersive technologies, such as virtual reality and augmented reality, into their classrooms, revolutionizing experiential learning. The virtual experiences stretch across disciplines, including dissecting a frog for biology class, visiting a space station to experience weightlessness, and creating high-level math concepts in three-dimensional visuals. These tools give students hands-on experience with the rapidly developing technologies that are driving 21st century innovations.
AU has made particularly notable strides in the field of nursing education by introducing immersive VR training modules. These simulations allow nursing students to engage in realistic clinical scenarios, bridging the gap between theoretical knowledge and
practical application. By navigating complex patient interactions in a controlled virtual environment, students can hone their clinical skills and decision-making abilities, leading to improved patient care outcomes.
AI in the Classroom and Beyond
Artificial intelligence is playing a vital role in the classroom, changing the way students research, collaborate, and learn. AU faculty are incorporating AI tools to enhance the learning experience. Students are trained to use generative AI applications, such as ChatGPT, to support data analysis, research, theory testing, and even artistic creation. This coursework is part of AU’s concentrated effort to help students develop the AI skills needed to succeed in the modern workforce. Employers increasingly seek graduates who can leverage AI technology in particular for problem-solving, creativity, and efficiency.
One of the most promising developments in AI is the advancement of personalized learning. By leveraging data and AI, education can be tailored to each student’s unique needs, allowing for more flexible learning paths and better support.
By embracing these emerging technologies, AU ensures that students graduate not just with knowledge, but with the skills to excel in an increasingly digital world.
A Look Ahead
At Aurora University, what we refer to as our “future promise” begins with renewing our commitment to students and their success. This means ensuring that every student graduates with the confidence and adaptability to navigate an uncertain and rapidly changing world. To do this, we must embrace innovation in our curriculum, integrating interdisciplinary approaches, transferable skills, and experiential learning opportunities that prepare students for both fulfilling careers and meaningful lives.
Equally important is our responsibility to articulate the true value of higher education. We must communicate more effectively what it means to be an educated person and why the liberal arts serve as the foundation for both professional success and lifelong learning. AU is uniquely positioned to lead this conversation and demonstrate the transformative power of our student experience.
Collaboration is key — but the future calls for something even bolder. Radical collaboration must become our guiding principle, breaking down silos within our institution and forging dynamic partnerships beyond it. By uniting faculty, students, industry leaders, and the broader community in meaningful and unconventional ways, we will amplify our impact and create new opportunities for innovation. Open communication, data-informed decision-making, and an unwavering culture of inclusion will be the foundation of this progress.
As industries shift and new technologies emerge, higher education institutions must ensure that students are not only prepared for the workforce but are also equipped with the critical thinking, leadership, and adaptability skills necessary to thrive in an increasingly complex and interconnected society. The future of learning will not be built in isolation — it will be co-created with bold ideas, fearless partnerships, and a shared commitment to excellence.
At AU, we are ready to lead this charge. By embracing radical collaboration, we will redefine what is possible in education and ensure that every student graduates prepared to shape the future. The time is now. Together, let’s build something extraordinary.
