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Jefferson County – Colleges/Universities 2023-2024

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Universities play a crucial role in shaping local economies by driving employment, fostering business growth, attracting investment, and enhancing the overall quality of life in their host communities. Their economic impact extends beyond direct spending to include long-term benefits such as workforce development, innovation, and cultural enrichment. Below, we explore the key ways in which a university influences a local economy.

  1. Direct Employment and Spending A university is often one of the largest employers in a local area, providing jobs for faculty, administrative staff, maintenance workers, and other professionals. These employees spend their salaries on housing, groceries, transportation, and entertainment, injecting money into the local economy. Additionally, universities spend significant amounts on construction, utilities, and local services, further stimulating business activity.

    Students also contribute to local spending. Many bring outside money into the community through tuition payments, federal aid, and personal expenditures on rent, food, and retail. A large student population can sustain businesses such as bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and housing providers.

  2. Business Development and Entrepreneurship Universities often serve as hubs for innovation and entrepreneurship. Research institutions, business incubators, and technology transfer offices help commercialize academic research, leading to startup formation and industry partnerships. For example, Stanford University's role in Silicon Valley's growth demonstrates how academic institutions can spur regional economic development.

    Local businesses benefit from university partnerships, including procurement contracts for supplies, catering, and maintenance services. Furthermore, universities attract conferences, sporting events, and cultural activities that generate tourism revenue for hotels, restaurants, and transportation services.

  3. Human Capital and Workforce Development A well-educated workforce is essential for economic competitiveness. Universities produce graduates with specialized skills that attract high-paying industries, such as technology, healthcare, and finance. Many graduates remain in the area, filling critical roles in local businesses and government.

    Universities also offer continuing education programs, professional certifications, and workforce training initiatives that help upskill local employees, making the regional labor market more adaptable to industry changes.

  4. Real Estate and Infrastructure Growth The presence of a university can drive demand for housing, both from students and faculty. This often leads to the development of new apartments, condominiums, and mixed-use commercial spaces. Over time, universities contribute to urban revitalization by investing in campus expansions, public transit improvements, and community amenities like libraries and parks.

    However, rapid growth can also lead to challenges, such as rising housing costs and gentrification, which may displace long-term residents. Local governments must balance economic expansion with policies that ensure affordable housing and equitable development.

  5. Cultural and Social Contributions Beyond economics, universities enrich local culture through arts programs, public lectures, and athletic events. These activities improve residents' quality of life, making the area more attractive to businesses and skilled workers. A vibrant university town often sees increased property values and a more diverse, engaged community.


Conclusion

The economic impact of a university on a local economy is multifaceted, encompassing job creation, business growth, talent development, and infrastructure investment. While challenges such as affordability and displacement must be managed, the long-term benefits-including innovation, increased tax revenues, and a more dynamic workforce-make universities vital engines of regional prosperity. By fostering collaboration between academia, government, and industry, communities can maximize these advantages while ensuring inclusive growth.
 
Fortis Institute-Birmingham
Birmingham-Southern College  
Stillman College  
Miles College  
Strayer University-Alabama  
Lawson State Community College  
Bevill State Community College  
Shelton State Community College  
Samford University  
Jefferson State Community College  
University of Alabama at Birmingham  
The University of Alabama  
Percent admitted - total
Admissions yield - total

Full-time enrollment
Part-time enrollment

Total  enrollment
% White
% Black
% Asian
% Hispanic
% Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander
% American Indian or Alaska Native
% two or more races
% Race/ethnicity unknown
% U.S. Nonresident

Undergraduate enrollment
% under 18
% 18-24
% 25-64
% over 65

Graduate enrollment

Student-to-faculty ratio

Tuition and fees, 2020-21
2021-22
2022-23
2023-24

Total price for
In-district students living on campus  2023-24
In-state students living on campus 2023-24
Out-of-state students living on campus 2023-24

In-district students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (no family)  2023-24

In-district students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
In-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24
Out-of-state students living off campus (w/ family)  2023-24

Associate's degree
Bachelor's degree
Master's degree
Doctor's degree - research/scholarship
Doctor's degree - professional practice
Doctor's degree - other

Instructional FTE
Research FTE
Public Service FTE
Librarians, Curators, and Archivists FTE
Student/Academic Affairs and Other Education Services FTE
Management FTE
Business and Financial Operations FTE
Computer, Engineering, and Science FTE
Community Service, Legal, Arts, and Media FTE
Healthcare FTE
Service FTE
Sales and Related FTE
Office and Administrative Support FTE
Natural Resources, Construction, and Maintenance FTE
Production, Transportation, and Material Moving FTE
Total FTE staff
76
19

33,663
5,959

39,622
70
12
2
7
0
0
3
3
3

33,435
4
90
6
0

6,187

19

11,620
11,620
11,940
11,900


33,382
33,382
54,682

33,862
33,862
55,162

19,879
19,879
41,179

0
6,505
2,162
245
191
0

1,804
79
0
47
186
601
661
511
641
256
707
31
864
234
124
6,746
88
22

14,815
6,345

21,160
49
22
8
6
0
0
4
3
8

12,382
1
82
17
0

8,778

18

8,568
8,568
8,832
8,832


29,379
29,379
42,411

30,619
30,619
43,651

16,039
16,039
29,071

0
2,937
2,678
163
529
0

2,906
0
0
40
270
475
1,286
2,028
375
573
712
0
783
288
81
9,817
NA
NA

2,087
6,752

8,839
61
22
2
9
0
0
4
0
1

8,839
33
44
22
0

0

19

5,850
4,920
5,220
5,040


NA
NA
NA

27,589
27,589
31,399

11,668
11,668
15,478

1,042
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

206
0
0
6
49
15
15
7
15
0
35
0
100
4
0
452
82
29

5,554
237

5,791
81
8
2
5
0
0
2
2
1

3,832
0
98
1
0

1,959

14

34,198
35,360
36,725
38,144


57,456
57,456
57,456

66,170
66,170
66,170

45,884
45,884
45,884

0
837
345
16
410
0

431
0
0
29
0
66
70
50
162
38
30
0
155
21
1
1,053
NA
NA

1,706
2,830

4,536
54
35
1
6
0
0
3
0
1

4,536
24
59
16
0

0

17

4,560
4,587
4,980
5,067


NA
NA
NA

25,617
25,617
29,427

12,767
12,767
16,577

564
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

147
0
0
0
3
65
1
10
4
0
14
0
88
17
0
349
NA
NA

1,072
2,874

3,946
77
15
1
4
0
0
4
0
0

3,946
39
42
18
0

0

15

5,214
5,214
5,278
4,678


15,907
15,907
19,463

21,679
21,679
25,235

11,257
11,257
14,813

494
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

126
0
0
8
65
36
5
7
31
0
21
0
38
12
1
350
NA
NA

1,111
2,042

3,153
10
81
0
5
0
0
4
0
0

3,153
12
55
33
0

0

16

4,860
4,860
4,920
4,980


15,040
15,040
18,850

20,647
20,647
24,457

13,087
13,087
16,897

322
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

110
0
0
2
12
23
5
4
10
0
18
4
50
3
0
241
NA
NA

58
1,538

1,596
27
67
0
2
0
1
2
1
0

1,473
0
10
89
1

123

39

13,515
13,515
13,515
13,920


NA
NA
NA

25,158
25,158
25,158

15,720
15,720
15,720

54
108
62
0
0
0

13
0
0
0
11
11
2
0
0
0
0
7
1
0
0
45
NA
NA

1,106
45

1,151
3
95
0
2
0
0
0
0
0

1,151
0
85
14
0

0

12

12,714
12,464
12,714
12,714


23,144
23,144
23,144

26,801
26,801
26,801

15,956
15,956
15,956

0
145
0
0
0
0

88
0
0
2
0
30
4
2
57
2
25
0
18
2
0
230
74
11

660
119

779
7
86
0
1
0
0
0
2
4

779
0
77
22
1

0

12

11,292
11,392
11,392
11,392


26,678
26,678
26,678

28,092
28,092
28,092

17,280
17,280
17,280

0
94
0
0
0
0

60
0
0
4
0
21
2
4
23
0
39
1
14
0
0
168
52
7

724
7

731
69
16
2
8
0
0
2
0
4

713
0
99
1
0

18

9

18,900
20,100
21,250
22,750


40,380
40,380
40,380

33,728
33,728
33,728

27,228
27,228
27,228

0
278
0
0
0
0

80
0
0
5
9
30
6
7
55
4
15
0
24
8
1
244
NA
NA

339
0

339
12
77
1
6
0
0
2
1
0

339
0
54
45
1

0

20

13,649
13,655
14,979
14,561


NA
NA
NA

37,545
37,545
37,545

19,844
19,844
19,844

34
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

17
0
0
0
0
4
3
0
5
0
0
0
1
0
0
30


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus