Our 11 colleges and universities build minds, contribute to regional economy
Any listing of the assets of our Region would include our colleges and universities, but we underestimate the positive impact of these institutions.
There are 11 institutes of higher learning — all within an hour’s drive. They contribute millions — even billions — to our regional economy, but they provide much more than financial stability. A full listing of their tremendous benefits hasn’t been compiled, but if it were, these “snapshots” would be on it:
Bethel University
The Mishawaka-based university offers an engineering management degree program in cooperation with local industry partners. It offers a balance of science, business, management and hands-on experience to prepare engineers for the varied world of working in a small- to medium-sized company.
Calumet College of St. Joseph
The private, four-year Catholic institution in Whiting offers 22 traditional degree programs and 14 minors. Homeland security, law enforcement, firefighting and related protective services are 52% of enrollment.
Goshen College
Goshen College students devote at least 12 credit hours to global citizenship and experiential learning. The requirement gives them the opportunity to approach life, leadership and career as global citizens, collaborating for the common good and respecting human dignity across cultural differences.
Holy Cross College
The private Catholic college in Notre Dame offers 15 majors and 21 minors. First-year students live and learn in clusters, where intellectual connections form across disciplines, and dynamic courses of study spark creativity, community and unexpected academic journey.
Indiana University Northwest
IU Northwest offers 10 master’s level programs in education, health care and technology. The Gary-based institution offers a certificate program that is a focused study of public sector management. The urban medicine program at the associated IU School of Medicine trains physicians for urban health disparities.
Indiana University South Bend
IU South Bend has nearly 5,000 students pursuing degrees in one or more of 100 fields. Their MBA program is ranked 15th best part time in the Midwest by “Bloomberg Businessweek,” and 68th in the U.S. It is home to Indiana’s Small Business Development Center and the Bureau of Business and Economic Research. Overseas study is available at over 200 overseas sites
Ivy Tech
Ivy Tech has seven campuses within the Region offering over 50 academic programs. Smart manufacturing and digital integration, and advanced automation and robotics technology are uniquely important to manufacturers. Ivy Tech’s partnership with trade unions provides apprenticeships leading to associate degrees. The construction-related and health care majors they offer are plentiful.
Marian University/Ancilla College
In 2021 Ancilla College was merged into Marian University as a regional campus near Plymouth. They’ve just launched an entrepreneurship training program, developed to empower aspiring small business owners. Their first class of Bachelor of Science in nursing students just graduated.
Purdue University Northwest
PNW’s collaboration with public and private sector partners to support economic development, innovation, entrepreneurship, technology transfer, workforce development and community development was a major factor in the university becoming one of Indiana’s three Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities. The Commercialization and Manufacturing Excellence Center and Center for Innovation through Visualization and Simulation are key initiatives.
Saint Mary’s College
Focusing on the empowerment of women, the college offers over 60 academic programs. Avenues are provided for students to earn a bachelor’s degree and a Saint Mary’s or Notre Dame master’s degree in five years or less.
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame’s regional economic impact in 2024 was $3.3 billion. Through its seven schools, it offers about 75 undergraduate and over 50 master’s, doctoral and professional degrees. UND is best known for top-ranked programs in business, economics, political science and government. The law school and programs in engineering, computer science and architecture are significant.
Valparaiso University
Valpo University has been recognized for fostering social mobility by supporting first-generation and economically disadvantaged students. It offers 84 undergraduate degrees and 31 master’s degree programs. They offer doctoral-level degrees in nursing practice and occupational therapy.
These are but a few of the ways higher ed is meeting educational and employment needs of our Region — and beyond.•
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