EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Economic Value of DePauw University Published August 2025
DePauw University (DePauw) creates value in many ways. The university plays a key role in helping students increase their employability and achieve their individual potential. The university draws visitors and students to the county, generating new dollars and opportunities for Putnam County. DePauw provides students with the education, training, and skills they need to have fulfilling and prosperous careers. Furthermore, DePauw is a place for students to meet new people, increase their selfconfidence, and promote their overall health and well-being. DePauw influences both the lives of its students and the county economy. The university supports a variety of industries in Putnam County, serves county businesses, and benefits society as a whole in Indiana from an expanded economy and improved quality of life. Additionally, the benefits created by DePauw extend to the state government through increased tax revenues and public sector savings. This study measures the economic impacts created by DePauw on the business community and evaluates the return on investment to DePauw students and the Indiana society – as well as the benefits received by state and local taxpayers from DePauw. The following two analyses are presented: • Economic impact analysis • Investment analysis All results reflect employee, student, and financial data, provided by the university, for fiscal year (FY) 2023-24. Impacts on the Putnam County economy are reported under the economic impact analysis and are measured in terms of added income. The returns on investment to students and society, along with benefits to taxpayers in Indiana, are reported under the investment analysis.
DePauw influences both the lives of its students and the county economy.