Chicago’s vibrant economy thrives on a steady influx of skilled and educated professionals, and the City’s higher education institutions play a crucial role in meeting that demand. With 20 colleges and universities producing approximately 60,000 graduates annually, these institutions’ impact on the local workforce is undeniable.
A Diverse Talent Pool
Chicago’s colleges and universities attract a diverse student body, with a ten-year trend of annual enrollments of approximately 200,000. This diversity is reflected in the graduating classes, ensuring a rich talent pool for businesses across various sectors.
Graduates by ethnicity:
- Asian: 6,364
- Black: 6,090
- Hispanic: 11,809
- White: 21,763
- Non-resident alien: 6,613
- Other: 3,976
Equipping Graduates with In-Demand Skills
These institutions offer various programs, equipping graduates with specific skills and knowledge in fields such as nursing, education, engineering, and business, just to name a few, which are in high demand in today’s job market.
Graduates by major degree category:
- Physical Sciences, Agriculture, Natural Resources: 1,064
- Liberal Arts: 16,389
- Social Sciences: 7,868
- Medicine and Biological Sciences: 9,692
- Business, Management and Law: 11,491
- Engineering: 7,431
- Education: 3,374
- Other: 2,323
Investing in Chicago’s Future
By investing in higher education, Chicago is not just investing in its future but shaping it. These institutions are not just educating the next generation of workers but contributing to the City’s overall economic vitality and cultural richness, paving the way for a brighter future.
Chicago benefits from having one of the highest concentrations of universities and students in the U.S., providing a continuously renewed stream of talent for the region’s economy. We applaud the hard work and dedication of our students, representing the best and brightest, from the arts to software engineering and everything in between. Join us as we celebrate our newest “Scholars Who Will Be Fueling The Skyline!”