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Reno 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-Wichita
Galen Health Institutes-Wichita  
Kansas Health Science Center  
Hesston College  
Central Christian College of Kansas  
Bethel College-North Newton  
Bethany College  
Sterling College  
McPherson College  
Pratt Community College  
Friends University  
Newman University  
Hutchinson Community College  
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology  
Wichita State 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
95
22

10,570
6,171

16,741
49
5
6
13
0
1
4
2
20

12,856
7
70
22
0

3,885

20

8,433
8,800
8,866
9,322


27,812
27,812
37,730

26,772
26,772
36,690

14,022
14,022
23,940

55
2,172
1,199
44
69
0

651
0
0
22
10
361
188
478
241
23
141
4
234
253
43
2,649
NA
NA

1,736
3,919

5,655
52
10
5
24
0
1
6
1
0

5,655
43
33
23
0

0

15

6,602
5,963
5,715
6,018


NA
NA
NA

26,805
26,805
27,715

9,990
9,990
10,900

331
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

196
0
0
1
74
29
55
16
6
0
12
0
20
4
0
413
NA
NA

1,685
3,298

4,983
64
5
1
12
0
1
4
12
1

4,983
35
42
23
0

0

17

3,180
3,240
3,300
3,420


17,361
17,661
18,591

19,949
20,249
21,179

10,531
10,831
11,761

835
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

193
2
0
1
26
52
1
22
75
0
41
2
47
13
2
477
48
38

1,159
1,628

2,787
67
3
4
16
0
1
5
1
3

2,398
43
49
8
0

389

13

33,000
34,460
34,400
35,500


50,548
50,548
50,548

54,916
54,916
54,916

43,070
43,070
43,070

25
200
123
0
0
0

124
0
0
0
15
8
15
12
33
0
17
2
14
0
0
240
56
39

1,116
811

1,927
54
9
3
17
0
1
7
6
4

1,460
28
63
9
0

467

14

30,120
30,864
31,812
32,748


49,624
49,624
49,624

50,140
50,140
50,140

38,796
38,796
38,796

0
219
213
0
0
0

99
0
3
3
12
39
22
12
32
6
7
1
23
3
0
262
NA
NA

582
571

1,153
68
8
1
3
0
2
6
6
5

1,153
22
61
16
0

0

21

3,680
3,808
3,936
4,064


20,016
20,116
20,664

23,750
23,850
24,398

12,798
12,898
13,446

151
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

36
0
0
1
2
15
6
4
19
2
13
0
18
3
0
119
84
24

781
7

788
52
12
2
17
0
4
1
5
6

788
1
98
2
0

0

13

31,154
32,408
33,536
35,162


50,666
50,666
50,666

55,722
55,722
55,722

45,578
45,578
45,578

0
167
6
0
0
0

58
0
0
1
13
13
17
3
29
2
10
0
8
6
0
160
53
32

537
170

707
67
10
0
5
0
0
8
3
7

680
11
77
11
0

27

9

27,300
28,500
30,000
32,200


47,272
47,272
47,272

47,272
47,272
47,272

37,740
37,740
37,740

0
93
7
0
0
0

64
0
0
2
5
15
2
0
36
0
9
0
7
1
0
141
79
12

582
55

637
51
18
2
18
0
1
4
0
5

637
7
90
3
0

0

12

29,720
30,345
31,305
31,946


54,158
54,158
54,158

47,482
47,482
47,482

40,820
40,820
40,820

0
130
0
0
0
0

52
0
0
1
7
13
2
3
27
3
11
5
7
1
0
132
96
17

485
17

502
53
17
2
17
1
5
0
2
5

502
1
97
2
0

0

11

30,264
31,164
32,090
34,002


52,520
52,520
52,520

60,341
60,341
60,341

44,029
44,029
44,029

0
83
0
0
0
0

44
0
0
6
0
21
3
6
27
0
3
7
14
0
6
137
NA
NA

402
53

455
51
12
2
23
0
2
4
4
2

437
7
66
27
0

18

11

20,100
20,225
20,650
21,000


33,720
33,720
33,720

37,988
37,988
37,988

25,270
25,270
25,270

21
100
22
0
0
0

35
0
0
1
8
10
6
2
11
1
6
0
7
1
1
89
NA
NA

291
17

308
50
8
1
16
0
1
6
1
17

308
1
85
14
0

0

7

28,440
28,992
29,952
31,368


47,728
47,728
47,728

47,468
47,468
47,468

35,468
35,468
35,468

55
43
0
0
0
0

40
0
0
1
2
15
2
5
11
2
6
10
14
7
0
115
NA
NA

227
0

227
30
2
21
4
0
0
2
41
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

227

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
0
0
0
0

36
0
0
1
24
8
3
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
78
NA
NA

61
36

97
48
29
2
3
0
1
2
14
0

97
0
25
75
0

0

12

NA
NA
NA
15,860


NA
NA
NA

36,569
36,569
36,569

20,909
20,909
20,909

0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

2
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
9
NA
NA

67
0

67
64
13
1
10
0
1
9
0
0

67
0
25
75
0

0

10

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

29
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

6
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
0
9


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus