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Greater Bridgeport Planning Region – 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.
 
Island Drafting and Technical Institute
Paier College  
Five Towns College  
University of Connecticut-Waterbury Campus  
University of Connecticut-Stamford  
University of Bridgeport  
Western Connecticut State University  
Fairfield University  
Southern Connecticut State University  
Quinnipiac University  
Farmingdale State College  
University of New Haven  
Sacred Heart University  
Yale University  
Suffolk County Community College  
Post University  
Stony Brook University  
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
49
14

22,210
3,655

25,865
30
6
28
13
0
0
3
6
13

17,549
4
90
6
0

8,316

19

10,091
10,455
10,560
10,560


32,370
32,370
52,160

34,588
34,588
54,378

18,612
18,612
38,402

0
4,405
2,263
293
269
0

2,431
85
4
41
203
132
577
366
337
65
392
2
95
116
72
4,918
NA
NA

8,458
13,241

21,699
43
35
2
7
0
1
10
2
0

19,575
2
16
81
2

2,124

16

15,510
15,510
15,510
17,100


33,560
33,560
33,560

28,800
28,800
28,800

20,800
20,800
20,800

558
1,398
724
0
85
0

455
0
0
3
457
141
143
46
26
2
9
25
10
0
3
1,320
NA
NA

9,332
10,721

20,053
45
8
5
37
0
0
3
2
0

20,053
28
57
16
0

0

22

5,977
6,270
6,270
6,440


NA
NA
NA

22,033
22,033
27,673

11,358
11,358
16,998

2,755
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

531
0
0
18
179
130
14
12
44
4
98
0
189
16
10
1,245
5
70

14,854
227

15,081
33
7
17
12
0
0
5
2
24

6,818
2
97
1
0

8,263

6

57,700
59,950
62,250
64,700


88,300
88,300
88,300

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
1,449
2,846
463
331
6

3,154
2,839
597
532
207
1,903
934
1,854
484
440
1,686
0
2,738
250
59
17,677
68
20

9,022
2,157

11,179
62
4
2
10
0
0
2
2
18

6,960
0
96
4
0

4,219

16

44,350
45,230
46,580
48,460


70,760
70,760
70,760

66,840
66,840
66,840

52,810
52,810
52,810

93
1,487
1,307
2
77
0

597
0
0
11
50
164
75
53
172
29
83
3
96
1
0
1,334
81
12

8,331
1,499

9,830
36
7
3
12
0
0
2
2
37

4,865
5
88
7
0

4,965

18

41,654
42,898
44,184
45,730


69,604
69,604
69,604

66,679
66,679
66,679

55,840
55,840
55,840

46
1,028
1,493
5
0
0

444
0
0
9
13
75
43
34
114
6
46
0
125
21
0
930
69
26

7,627
1,914

9,541
41
11
13
29
0
0
4
0
2

9,508
5
81
15
0

33

18

8,395
8,576
8,576
8,576


26,422
26,422
36,332

40,120
40,120
50,030

12,356
12,356
22,266

228
1,672
21
0
0
0

456
0
20
9
22
66
166
12
36
83
96
0
77
35
0
1,078
77
11

7,752
1,166

8,918
71
5
5
11
0
0
3
4
2

6,248
1
96
3
0

2,670

11

50,760
51,270
51,790
53,090


73,320
73,320
73,320

72,610
72,610
72,610

57,350
57,350
57,350

0
1,607
910
0
356
0

634
0
0
17
67
204
69
39
97
6
122
0
115
105
0
1,475
81
18

6,301
2,519

8,820
48
18
4
22
0
0
4
3
1

6,781
11
75
14
0

2,039

11

11,802
11,882
12,414
12,828


32,844
32,844
46,120

31,542
31,542
44,818

22,260
22,260
35,536

0
1,667
632
29
0
0

602
0
0
19
127
65
37
27
67
3
164
0
69
13
0
1,193
45
21

5,528
761

6,289
78
2
2
8
0
0
2
5
2

4,968
1
98
1
0

1,321

12

51,325
52,870
54,455
56,360


76,940
76,940
76,940

77,040
77,040
77,040

59,540
59,540
59,540

0
1,157
511
0
48
0

483
0
0
20
132
55
72
61
97
16
33
0
113
25
0
1,107
81
16

3,067
1,070

4,137
51
9
5
27
0
0
5
3
0

3,542
4
84
12
0

595

11

11,781
11,781
12,345
12,763


30,552
30,552
33,884

31,577
31,577
34,909

16,780
16,780
20,112

6
847
202
0
6
0

289
0
0
15
39
33
31
30
51
4
62
0
50
25
0
629
64
6

2,958
1,145

4,103
25
18
4
15
0
0
0
2
36

1,479
2
65
32
0

2,624

16

35,760
35,760
35,760
35,760


59,482
59,482
59,482

55,038
55,038
55,038

44,042
44,042
44,042

44
425
635
20
49
0

240
0
0
1
122
16
12
12
2
0
2
0
37
0
0
444
80
11

2,061
179

2,240
30
15
11
34
0
0
4
1
6

2,240
8
86
6
0

0

19

15,256
15,888
16,650
17,472


40,290
40,290
62,958

37,556
37,556
60,224

22,450
22,450
45,118

0
55
18
4
4
0

25
4
1
1
1
4
5
8
5
11
8
0
22
5
0
100
87
13

716
44

760
41
11
11
28
0
0
6
0
2

760
8
86
7
0

0

20

15,246
15,878
16,640
17,462


NA
NA
NA

37,546
37,546
60,214

22,440
22,440
45,108

0
55
18
4
4
0

25
4
1
1
1
4
5
8
5
11
8
0
22
5
0
100
72
49

534
189

723
37
14
1
22
0
0
2
21
3

662
24
72
5
0

61

11

25,595
25,235
26,245
29,950


49,950
49,950
49,950

46,150
46,150
46,150

36,150
36,150
36,150

6
103
4
1
0
0

61
0
0
2
17
5
3
4
7
0
9
7
1
10
0
126
62
72

143
60

203
45
21
4
23
1
0
3
1
0

199
1
77
22
1

4

9

18,470
23,760
24,480
26,400


48,900
48,900
48,900

35,400
35,400
35,400

30,900
30,900
30,900

2
32
1
0
0
0

24
0
0
3
1
7
7
2
0
0
0
4
3
3
0
54
NA
NA

53
0

53
38
11
2
28
0
0
9
11
0

53
4
72
25
0

0

18

16,950
16,950
18,450
19,200


NA
NA
NA

45,796
45,796
45,796

29,578
29,578
29,578

34
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

3
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
9


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus