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Henry 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.
 
Interactive College of Technology-Morrow
Columbia Theological Seminary  
Gupton Jones College of Funeral Service  
DeVry University-Georgia  
Interactive College of Technology-Chamblee  
Luther Rice College & Seminary  
Emory University-Oxford College  
Agnes Scott College  
Oglethorpe University  
Strayer University-Georgia  
Emory 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
11
40

13,565
1,481

15,046
34
13
19
10
0
0
4
2
18

7,359
1
98
2
0

7,687

9

53,868
55,468
57,948
60,774


83,622
83,622
83,622

83,622
83,622
83,622

64,650
64,650
64,650

0
1,937
2,007
277
516
0

1,744
1,047
1,869
182
1,310
1,088
955
2,737
555
494
656
0
736
160
41
13,574
NA
NA

551
4,946

5,497
17
75
0
3
0
0
3
1
0

4,878
0
12
88
1

619

39

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


NA
NA
NA

25,158
25,158
25,158

15,720
15,720
15,720

270
514
218
0
0
0

45
0
0
1
40
38
7
0
0
0
0
25
3
0
0
159
60
23

1,427
95

1,522
31
20
4
27
0
0
4
11
3

1,499
5
91
4
0

23

14

41,160
42,754
44,060
45,806


65,056
65,056
65,056

66,306
66,306
66,306

51,006
51,006
51,006

0
234
0
0
0
0

101
1
0
6
7
39
6
5
51
3
20
0
10
10
0
259
67
19

1,043
34

1,077
38
34
5
13
0
0
6
1
3

911
1
99
1
0

166

10

44,250
44,250
45,786
48,150


64,812
64,812
64,812

54,058
54,058
54,058

51,558
51,558
51,558

0
199
18
0
0
0

107
0
0
9
22
25
26
6
34
2
11
0
36
0
1
279
17
15

973
0

973
29
8
32
12
0
0
3
2
15

973
3
97
0
0

0

10

53,868
55,468
57,948
60,774


83,622
83,622
83,622

83,622
83,622
83,622

64,650
64,650
64,650

615
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

100
0
0
9
40
22
9
15
21
4
1
0
22
3
1
247
34
75

106
450

556
49
42
3
3
0
0
0
2
0

214
0
13
81
6

342

10

8,448
9,088
9,808
10,538


NA
NA
NA

31,650
31,650
31,650

16,514
16,514
16,514

0
27
103
10
0
0

26
0
0
3
3
2
3
3
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
42
NA
NA

483
46

529
15
48
15
22
0
0
0
0
0

529
0
24
75
1

0

23

10,250
10,650
11,090
11,330


NA
NA
NA

24,630
24,630
24,630

16,630
16,630
16,630

40
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

12
0
0
0
0
4
9
0
0
0
0
5
9
2
0
41
81
92

329
158

487
18
65
1
6
0
0
2
5
3

472
0
13
86
0

15

11

17,712
17,488
17,488
17,488


NA
NA
NA

40,132
40,132
40,132

25,596
25,596
25,596

78
141
19
0
0
0

24
0
0
0
30
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
60
NA
NA

235
216

451
38
49
0
12
0
0
0
0
0

451
0
27
73
0

0

24

11,720
12,320
16,935
21,000


NA
NA
NA

38,875
38,875
38,875

27,575
27,575
27,575

55
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

13
0
0
0
12
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
31
NA
NA

111
46

157
29
43
8
1
0
0
1
2
17

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

157

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
46
0
18
0

20
0
0
9
12
16
2
3
6
0
5
6
12
0
0
91
NA
NA

113
0

113
0
88
4
8
0
0
0
0
0

113
0
21
77
2

0

12

10,850
10,420
10,850
11,210


NA
NA
NA

24,390
24,390
24,390

16,390
16,390
16,390

3
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
0
0
10


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus