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Honolulu 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.
 
University of Phoenix-Hawaii
Institute of Clinical Acupuncture & Oriental Med  
Pacific Rim Christian University  
Hawaii Medical College  
Chaminade University of Honolulu  
Windward Community College  
Brigham Young University-Hawaii  
University of Hawaii-West Oahu  
Honolulu Community College  
Hawaii Pacific University  
Kapiolani Community College  
Leeward Community College  
University of Hawaii at Manoa  
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
70
23

14,194
5,062

19,256
22
1
30
13
3
0
24
1
6

14,576
4
84
11
0

4,680

14

12,186
12,186
12,186
12,186


32,331
32,331
54,363

35,868
35,868
57,900

18,511
18,511
40,543

0
3,049
985
166
195
0

1,267
160
46
74
493
137
453
237
349
44
320
15
120
75
12
3,802
NA
NA

1,641
4,418

6,059
8
2
39
15
4
0
30
1
1

6,059
17
54
29
0

0

21

3,209
3,209
3,214
3,214


NA
NA
NA

25,114
25,114
30,250

7,756
7,756
12,892

841
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

150
0
0
6
37
10
15
6
51
0
26
0
21
3
4
329
NA
NA

1,552
4,270

5,822
10
1
37
12
5
0
26
1
7

5,822
6
59
35
0

0

15

3,284
3,284
3,284
3,284


NA
NA
NA

23,637
23,637
28,773

7,376
7,376
12,512

613
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

198
0
0
7
27
11
20
10
38
0
27
0
18
3
1
360
84
4

2,907
1,841

4,748
22
5
13
19
6
0
25
2
8

3,814
28
56
16
0

934

15

29,300
30,020
31,940
33,020


52,512
52,512
52,512

49,040
49,040
49,040

36,470
36,470
36,470

39
493
205
0
6
0

228
19
0
10
50
96
20
20
49
4
10
0
25
4
6
541
NA
NA

892
2,312

3,204
9
2
38
14
6
0
29
2
1

3,204
12
54
34
0

0

18

3,174
3,174
3,174
3,174


NA
NA
NA

25,073
25,073
30,209

7,716
7,716
12,852

457
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

91
0
0
4
38
10
8
12
27
0
27
1
19
1
1
239
96
33

1,436
1,427

2,863
8
2
38
15
4
0
33
0
1

2,863
12
49
39
0

0

16

7,584
7,584
7,584
7,584


NA
NA
NA

31,268
31,268
44,228

13,910
13,910
26,870

0
630
0
0
0
0

117
0
0
5
26
11
25
12
56
1
15
0
6
5
5
284
38
70

2,695
141

2,836
20
0
8
7
6
0
9
0
48

2,836
0
67
33
0

0

16

5,890
6,068
6,250
6,438


25,824
25,824
25,824

22,348
22,348
22,348

10,054
10,054
10,054

45
563
0
0
0
0

162
0
0
9
7
46
21
32
33
5
54
9
51
25
3
457
NA
NA

515
2,228

2,743
13
1
19
16
8
0
39
3
1

2,743
25
42
31
2

0

21

3,194
3,194
3,194
3,194


NA
NA
NA

25,093
25,093
30,229

7,736
7,736
12,872

301
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

61
0
0
5
12
9
9
5
22
0
20
1
10
2
1
157
93
20

2,028
574

2,602
12
3
25
13
10
0
16
21
0

1,764
5
67
27
1

838

11

26,914
27,454
28,544
29,970


50,932
50,932
50,932

49,002
49,002
49,002

34,262
34,262
34,262

56
291
243
0
17
0

142
3
0
3
10
41
9
16
27
4
24
0
52
0
0
331
NA
NA

191
26

217
5
3
23
12
41
0
10
3
5

217
0
33
67
0

0

15

26,037
26,037
26,037
25,927


NA
NA
NA

45,621
45,621
45,621

28,474
28,474
28,474

44
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

15
0
0
0
10
10
9
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
47
NA
NA

94
75

169
15
9
23
16
11
1
16
0
9

114
0
40
57
3

55

7

11,900
12,380
12,380
12,380


28,130
28,130
28,130

25,767
25,767
25,767

18,230
18,230
18,230

4
14
5
0
0
0

10
0
0
0
1
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
20
NA
NA

49
8

57
46
0
30
16
7
0
0
0
2

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

57

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
11
0
0
0

8
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12
NA
NA

10
0

10
0
10
0
0
20
0
20
50
0

10
0
10
90
0

0

5

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
12
7
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus