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Saline 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.
 
Jackson Theological Seminary
Champion Christian College  
Shorter College  
Arkansas Baptist College  
Strayer University-Arkansas  
Philander Smith University  
Arkansas State University Three Rivers  
National Park College  
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences  
University of Arkansas Grantham  
University of Arkansas-Pulaski Technical College  
University of Arkansas at Little Rock  
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
58
23

4,122
4,036

8,158
53
21
2
3
0
1
10
2
8

5,789
14
51
33
1

2,369

11

8,366
8,366
8,366
8,455


25,856
25,856
36,611

31,175
31,175
41,930

16,073
16,073
26,828

360
1,014
434
39
126
0

405
0
0
11
53
171
39
172
35
1
46
0
69
26
2
1,030
NA
NA

2,168
2,007

4,175
37
40
2
13
0
0
4
3
1

4,175
5
54
40
1

0

16

5,670
5,820
4,848
4,848


NA
NA
NA

26,525
26,525
28,925

15,610
15,610
18,010

642
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

169
0
0
7
12
59
19
6
20
0
23
0
40
7
0
362
NA
NA

1,419
2,323

3,742
43
32
1
8
0
1
3
9
1

3,203
0
5
94
1

539

20

8,280
8,280
8,280
8,280


NA
NA
NA

15,692
15,692
15,692

8,780
8,780
8,780

262
555
339
0
0
0

8
0
0
0
4
7
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
21
NA
NA

2,282
993

3,275
63
10
9
7
0
0
4
3
3

1,380
0
26
74
0

1,895

15

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
516
195
17
293
0

292
146
12
1
1,058
957
401
627
244
117
453
62
275
83
2
4,730
NA
NA

1,213
1,095

2,308
82
9
1
6
0
1
0
0
0

2,308
27
52
21
0

0

14

4,550
4,550
5,200
5,600


17,200
17,650
18,880

25,782
26,232
27,462

10,475
10,925
12,155

272
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

100
0
0
2
0
29
21
18
38
0
14
2
11
4
0
239
NA
NA

436
1,592

2,028
69
14
1
11
1
3
1
0
0

2,028
69
19
11
0

0

13

3,264
3,458
3,356
3,568


NA
NA
NA

20,054
20,054
20,654

10,130
10,130
10,730

84
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

71
0
0
2
0
24
6
7
4
0
3
1
26
1
0
145
NA
NA

687
179

866
4
80
0
3
2
0
1
2
8

848
1
76
23
0

18

12

13,014
13,014
13,014
13,014


28,526
28,526
28,526

34,368
34,368
34,368

19,992
19,992
19,992

0
138
0
0
0
0

61
1
0
4
35
8
13
0
13
3
0
0
9
9
0
156
NA
NA

9
474

483
37
55
0
3
0
1
3
2
0

456
0
15
85
0

27

39

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


NA
NA
NA

25,158
25,158
25,158

15,720
15,720
15,720

5
19
18
0
0
0

3
0
0
0
3
3
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
12
NA
NA

326
47

373
1
91
0
5
0
0
2
1
1

373
0
80
20
0

0

15

8,760
8,760
8,760
8,760


23,060
23,060
23,060

22,014
22,014
22,014

14,234
14,234
14,234

8
16
0
0
0
0

23
0
0
1
16
12
3
1
14
0
29
0
12
1
0
112
NA
NA

252
38

290
19
76
0
3
0
2
0
0
0

290
0
26
74
0

0

13

5,596
5,596
6,196
6,246


23,219
23,219
23,219

23,219
23,219
23,219

10,604
10,604
10,604

56
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

29
1
0
2
6
21
2
1
3
0
9
0
7
1
0
82
NA
NA

119
20

139
60
20
1
5
0
4
7
1
1

139
5
86
9
0

0

5

10,114
10,114
11,130
10,870


20,970
20,970
20,970

25,434
25,434
25,434

14,970
14,970
14,970

1
13
0
0
0
0

7
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
4
0
3
0
2
0
0
25
NA
NA

3
6

9
0
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

1
0
0
100
0

8

1

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
1
0
0
0

2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
4


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus