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Allen 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.
 
Ross Medical Education Center-Fort Wayne
Concordia Theological Seminary  
Defiance College  
Huntington University  
University of Saint Francis-Fort Wayne  
Indiana Institute of Technology-College of Professional Studies  
Indiana Institute of Technology  
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
57
13

1,967
895

2,862
33
12
2
5
0
0
2
24
22

1,642
5
93
2
0

1,220

16

28,000
28,840
29,560
30,446


48,044
48,044
48,044

48,296
48,296
48,296

36,800
36,800
36,800

4
225
404
10
0
0

162
0
0
2
74
39
18
6
58
0
18
0
28
7
0
412
NA
NA

1,216
1,319

2,535
51
28
1
6
0
1
3
10
0

2,535
0
18
82
0

0

13

10,224
10,224
10,224
9,900


NA
NA
NA

26,033
26,033
26,033

15,679
15,679
15,679

100
282
0
0
0
0

0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
98
29

1,556
296

1,852
61
9
1
11
0
1
4
10
2

1,601
0
85
15
0

251

11

32,420
33,390
34,050
35,420


51,160
51,160
51,160

50,450
50,450
50,450

41,120
41,120
41,120

113
269
199
0
12
0

168
0
0
2
28
34
14
2
47
0
6
0
30
6
6
343
71
24

985
519

1,504
77
4
2
8
0
0
5
0
4

1,286
20
74
5
0

218

10

26,846
28,192
28,830
29,982


43,482
43,482
43,482

41,990
41,990
41,990

32,978
32,978
32,978

0
207
38
0
43
0

121
0
0
3
13
30
3
6
22
0
11
6
17
1
1
234
42
20

436
75

511
63
24
1
8
0
0
1
2
0

464
2
93
5
0

47

10

33,910
34,804
35,328
38,778


55,392
55,392
55,392

57,592
57,592
57,592

44,454
44,454
44,454

2
85
17
0
0
0

46
0
0
2
11
18
6
2
31
1
1
0
13
5
0
136
NA
NA

222
74

296
83
2
0
1
0
0
1
3
10

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

296

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
59
11
0
0

24
0
0
6
3
16
8
6
4
0
16
8
16
5
0
112
NA
NA

124
0

124
16
18
0
10
0
0
2
53
1

124
0
53
47
0

0

31

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

4
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus