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Sutter 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.
 
Cal Northern School of Law
Epic Bible College & Graduate School  
Sacramento Ultrasound Institute  
San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Cordova  
Chamberlain University-California  
Asher College  
California Northstate University  
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc  
William Jessup University  
Carrington College-Sacramento  
Woodland Community College  
Yuba College  
Folsom Lake College  
California State University-Chico  
Sierra College  
California State University-Sacramento  
University of California-Davis  
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
42
17

38,184
1,523

39,707
23
2
28
23
0
0
6
2
15

31,797
3
94
4
0

7,910

21

14,597
14,645
14,858
15,247


41,055
41,055
71,832

35,569
35,569
66,346

31,785
31,785
62,562

0
8,283
1,523
624
424
0

2,909
1,426
11
119
113
673
1,532
2,054
1,257
597
1,106
10
1,390
379
101
13,677
94
16

23,988
7,184

31,172
23
6
20
38
1
0
6
4
2

28,268
2
77
21
0

2,904

21

7,418
7,392
7,484
7,602


29,418
29,418
41,298

35,244
35,244
47,124

13,830
13,830
25,710

0
7,530
882
26
21
0

1,141
0
0
40
38
83
315
158
326
25
140
0
261
55
24
2,606
NA
NA

6,346
11,074

17,420
55
3
8
23
0
1
8
1
0

17,420
20
56
23
1

0

25

1,156
1,156
1,156
1,156


17,752
17,752
26,584

30,054
30,054
38,886

9,752
9,752
18,584

3,433
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

427
0
0
0
3
69
23
27
8
0
38
0
161
0
0
756
94
10

12,613
1,910

14,523
42
3
6
37
0
0
6
4
2

13,160
1
82
17
0

1,363

20

7,864
7,864
7,972
8,064


28,030
28,030
39,910

25,064
25,064
36,944

13,570
13,570
25,450

0
3,531
372
0
0
0

615
0
0
22
28
53
156
122
199
16
124
0
158
68
20
1,581
NA
NA

2,247
7,967

10,214
47
5
11
23
1
1
6
6
0

10,214
8
58
33
1

0

28

1,288
1,288
1,288
1,288


NA
NA
NA

30,106
30,106
41,626

7,812
7,812
19,332

1,285
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

197
0
0
0
13
17
10
5
14
0
20
0
49
0
0
325
NA
NA

1,372
4,363

5,735
29
3
16
39
0
1
7
5
0

5,735
21
51
28
0

0

26

1,128
1,128
1,128
1,128


NA
NA
NA

23,430
23,430
30,510

6,371
6,371
13,451

2,351
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

118
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
0
0
132
NA
NA

742
2,922

3,664
25
3
11
48
0
1
5
7
0

3,664
16
54
30
0

0

25

1,124
1,124
1,124
1,124


NA
NA
NA

28,318
28,318
35,378

7,282
7,282
14,342

1,163
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

67
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
69
NA
NA

2,288
0

2,288
18
10
8
47
2
2
2
10
1

2,288
0
37
63
0

0

31

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

414
0
0
0
0
0

73
0
0
0
21
64
0
0
0
0
2
0
9
0
0
169
77
35

1,027
457

1,484
42
5
4
22
1
1
4
8
12

1,056
4
78
18
0

428

9

37,000
37,000
37,150
37,150


55,315
55,315
55,315

63,711
63,711
63,711

43,308
43,308
43,308

0
240
184
0
0
0

96
0
0
3
16
37
30
13
60
5
14
0
26
5
0
305
NA
NA

1,107
0

1,107
20
4
7
49
1
1
13
5
0

1,107
1
84
15
0

0

43

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

477
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

26
0
0
0
1
8
20
0
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
57
85
8

824
23

847
23
3
51
4
1
0
8
10
0

71
0
96
4
0

776

7

47,375
49,793
52,685
56,501


NA
NA
NA

88,056
88,056
88,056

64,651
64,651
64,651

0
59
21
0
209
0

147
7
0
2
49
15
11
5
1
10
5
2
34
0
0
288
NA
NA

19
680

699
18
35
16
23
1
2
3
1
0

699
0
13
87
0

0

26

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

195
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

21
0
0
0
10
14
8
1
0
0
0
8
6
0
0
68
60
67

302
374

676
32
7
33
21
1
0
2
4
0

676
0
38
62
0

0

8

19,766
19,982
20,142
20,462


NA
NA
NA

45,594
45,594
45,594

28,870
28,870
28,870

0
151
0
0
0
0

36
0
0
0
23
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
65
NA
NA

226
0

226
41
5
23
23
4
0
0
4
0

226
0
39
61
0

0

23

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

129
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

10
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
16
77
58

104
0

104
38
7
18
26
0
0
12
0
0

104
0
32
68
0

0

8

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

10
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

5
0
0
0
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
10
NA
NA

3
88

91
30
33
10
13
2
0
10
0
2

60
0
7
82
12

31

9

9,714
9,714
9,689
15,072


NA
NA
NA

30,798
30,798
30,798

18,918
18,918
18,918

6
10
9
0
0
0

12
0
0
2
2
3
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
24
NA
NA

44
1

45
47
7
9
31
0
0
7
0
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

45

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
5
0
7
0

6
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
9


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus