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St. Joseph 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.
 
Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Marian University-Ancilla  
John Patrick University of Health and Applied Sciences  
Holy Cross College  
Goshen College  
Saint Mary's College  
Southwestern Michigan College  
Andrews University  
Lake Michigan College  
University of Notre Dame  
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
12
59

12,590
584

13,174
58
4
5
12
0
0
5
2
14

8,968
1
99
0
0

4,206

9

57,699
58,843
60,301
62,693


83,271
83,271
83,271

83,271
83,271
83,271

65,893
65,893
65,893

0
2,249
1,205
272
165
0

1,379
280
0
108
134
626
1,048
578
440
45
1,223
2
457
11
21
6,352
NA
NA

801
2,103

2,904
60
10
1
13
0
0
3
10
2

2,904
31
46
23
0

0

15

4,703
4,860
5,048
5,265


17,727
19,962
19,962

20,195
22,430
22,430

11,011
13,246
13,246

412
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

54
0
0
2
18
22
8
11
18
0
12
0
53
0
0
198
87
24

2,015
822

2,837
22
20
10
19
1
0
3
2
24

1,312
2
86
11
0

1,525

10

31,008
31,782
32,734
33,710


45,960
45,960
45,960

53,776
53,776
53,776

35,910
35,910
35,910

8
312
247
90
12
6

254
0
0
4
18
80
34
19
32
0
48
2
127
26
5
649
NA
NA

955
998

1,953
70
12
1
1
0
1
7
7
0

1,953
25
54
21
0

0

17

5,503
5,556
5,768
6,026


18,836
20,174
20,660

17,272
18,610
19,096

9,812
11,150
11,636

244
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

74
0
0
1
24
24
7
14
22
0
8
2
9
7
1
193
81
22

1,450
68

1,518
76
2
1
13
0
0
3
3
1

1,424
1
98
1
0

94

8

45,720
48,010
49,930
51,430


67,180
67,180
67,180

64,630
64,630
64,630

53,330
53,330
53,330

0
326
44
0
9
0

178
0
0
6
14
51
42
14
24
6
60
0
44
10
0
449
89
15

680
144

824
49
5
2
27
0
0
3
3
11

773
2
83
15
0

51

9

35,230
35,940
36,660
37,760


53,230
53,230
53,230

51,490
51,490
51,490

41,910
41,910
41,910

0
152
22
0
0
0

80
0
0
7
3
54
8
15
27
1
23
6
31
6
0
261
74
20

490
57

547
50
6
1
29
0
0
6
2
5

547
1
90
9
0

0

12

33,250
34,050
34,800
35,500


52,196
52,196
52,196

52,946
52,946
52,946

41,276
41,276
41,276

47
65
0
0
0
0

43
0
0
1
6
24
8
2
19
0
4
0
5
0
0
112
100
100

247
159

406
44
15
7
19
0
0
2
14
0

318
0
21
79
0

88

8

16,100
16,100
19,150
19,520


NA
NA
NA

45,022
45,022
45,022

31,422
31,422
31,422

18
45
48
0
0
0

24
0
0
1
0
2
5
0
0
14
0
0
6
0
0
52
90
36

215
3

218
58
20
0
12
0
0
6
2
2

218
0
96
4
0

0

10

NA
18,980
19,850
19,850


39,174
39,174
39,174

38,362
38,362
38,362

26,080
26,080
26,080

51
0
0
0
0
0

19
0
0
0
1
13
0
1
7
0
2
0
3
1
0
47
NA
NA

24
123

147
35
3
3
7
0
0
1
0
52

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

147

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
17
0
0
0

9
0
0
2
1
7
4
1
5
0
0
2
6
2
0
39


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus