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Osage 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.
 
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Lawrence
Rasmussen University-Kansas  
Haskell Indian Nations University  
Ottawa University-Ottawa  
Flint Hills Technical College  
Baker University  
Emporia State University  
Washburn University  
University of Kansas  
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
88
31

23,946
4,460

28,406
66
4
6
9
0
0
5
2
7

20,696
2
91
7
0

7,710

17

11,166
11,166
11,167
11,700


27,132
27,132
44,844

27,250
27,250
44,962

16,314
16,314
34,026

0
4,131
1,513
377
615
0

2,789
1,073
114
118
644
554
692
630
405
683
430
1
955
186
7
9,281
NA
NA

3,886
1,777

5,663
62
7
1
14
0
1
6
5
4

4,930
15
66
19
0

733

13

8,762
8,762
9,154
9,578


23,787
23,787
34,791

24,628
24,628
35,632

14,025
14,025
25,029

234
701
143
0
108
0

319
0
0
23
32
103
51
45
47
3
58
6
98
14
1
800
98
26

2,771
1,887

4,658
67
4
2
11
0
0
5
7
5

2,412
2
87
10
0

2,246

17

6,971
7,001
7,001
7,356


23,306
23,306
31,619

23,306
23,306
31,619

12,764
12,764
21,077

0
710
1,207
3
0
0

200
0
0
7
16
91
15
51
68
9
65
0
79
27
1
629
92
28

949
996

1,945
69
10
3
9
0
1
4
3
2

1,457
24
64
11
0

488

12

30,770
31,700
32,320
33,900


51,060
51,060
51,060

50,060
50,060
50,060

39,240
39,240
39,240

3
288
231
34
0
0

155
0
0
6
29
33
6
8
36
0
19
0
46
14
0
352
NA
NA

267
1,372

1,639
65
2
2
26
0
1
3
0
1

1,639
72
23
5
0

0

14

6,200
6,520
6,520
6,196


NA
NA
NA

24,220
24,220
24,220

16,570
16,570
16,570

98
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

51
0
0
0
0
11
4
3
4
0
5
0
14
0
0
92
80
10

993
62

1,055
52
15
3
16
0
2
5
0
6

936
0
96
4
0

119

15

32,180
33,380
34,280
35,300


52,300
52,300
52,300

50,140
50,140
50,140

40,140
40,140
40,140

0
133
36
0
0
0

42
0
0
0
14
23
20
9
47
1
18
4
2
4
0
184
88
76

805
73

878
0
0
0
0
0
100
0
0
0

878
1
83
16
0

0

20

480
480
480
600


9,010
9,010
9,010

20,537
20,537
20,537

9,500
9,500
9,500

65
50
0
0
0
0

42
4
0
3
0
12
6
4
2
1
57
0
16
18
0
165
NA
NA

185
148

333
49
24
3
10
0
1
3
10
0

333
0
21
79
0

0

11

11,777
11,571
10,571
15,340


NA
NA
NA

31,095
31,095
31,095

21,159
21,159
21,159

179
35
0
0
0
0

21
0
0
0
7
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
33
NA
NA

36
0

36
69
14
0
3
0
0
14
0
0

36
0
31
69
0

0

10

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

9
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

3
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus