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Harford 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.
 
Bais HaMedrash and Mesivta of Baltimore
Lancaster County Career and Technology Center  
Pennsylvania College of Art and Design  
Ner Israel Rabbinical College  
YTI Career Institute-York  
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State York  
Washington College  
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology  
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences  
Cecil College  
Franklin and Marshall College  
Elizabethtown College  
Lancaster Bible College  
Stevenson University  
York College of Pennsylvania  
Harford Community College  
Millersville University of Pennsylvania  
University of Maryland-Baltimore County  
Community College of Baltimore County  
Towson 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
83
19

15,585
3,942

19,527
42
30
7
10
0
0
5
3
2

16,517
1
89
9
0

3,010

14

10,198
10,464
10,818
11,306


31,390
31,390
48,410

31,390
31,390
48,410

15,746
15,746
32,766

0
4,064
844
12
38
0

1,180
2
0
26
20
356
332
150
133
29
51
8
233
79
37
2,636
NA
NA

4,219
11,584

15,803
33
38
6
8
0
0
4
2
8

15,803
15
48
37
1

0

15

4,380
4,380
4,380
4,380


NA
NA
NA

25,230
28,324
31,730

9,488
12,582
15,988

1,718
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

562
0
111
24
216
67
95
68
111
1
151
0
276
52
11
1,745
74
20

11,523
2,625

14,148
28
20
19
8
0
0
5
1
18

10,490
2
88
10
0

3,658

18

9,420
12,280
12,606
12,952


32,170
32,170
49,526

35,190
35,190
52,546

19,284
19,284
36,640

0
2,419
1,000
100
0
0

696
221
0
35
8
408
297
146
137
15
39
6
138
46
18
2,210
89
19

4,852
1,880

6,732
74
9
3
10
0
0
1
1
1

5,724
2
86
12
0

1,008

19

11,665
12,256
12,262
12,262


29,262
29,262
33,232

29,222
29,222
33,192

16,662
16,662
20,632

7
1,246
318
0
15
0

296
0
0
14
0
41
147
28
49
4
117
0
85
31
0
812
NA
NA

1,627
3,481

5,108
64
18
4
7
0
0
4
0
2

5,108
20
57
22
0

0

16

3,827
3,827
3,888
3,974


NA
NA
NA

20,030
22,358
24,686

10,930
13,258
15,586

854
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

171
0
26
12
80
31
30
31
44
0
28
4
55
16
0
528
94
17

3,015
705

3,720
72
8
2
9
0
0
4
3
1

3,308
4
90
6
0

412

13

21,700
22,350
23,328
24,606


40,686
40,686
40,686

41,186
41,186
41,186

28,706
28,706
28,706

7
769
82
0
16
0

240
0
0
7
16
62
30
31
54
3
48
11
69
9
6
586
83
18

2,899
608

3,507
49
30
4
9
0
0
6
1
1

3,028
1
89
9
0

479

15

37,868
38,168
38,738
39,708


59,986
59,986
59,986

56,967
56,967
56,967

45,208
45,208
45,208

0
748
220
0
0
0

215
0
0
4
61
41
21
21
66
26
26
1
27
15
10
534
95
48

1,040
1,415

2,455
57
28
1
2
0
1
4
6
0

1,778
5
55
38
3

677

18

27,370
27,370
28,460
29,990


45,869
45,869
45,869

45,869
45,869
45,869

34,229
34,229
34,229

36
265
106
10
0
0

155
0
0
4
0
54
4
13
31
0
9
1
64
3
2
340
77
19

1,872
280

2,152
83
3
2
6
0
0
2
1
2

1,857
2
92
6
0

295

12

32,960
34,600
35,670
36,842


51,946
51,946
51,946

47,192
47,192
47,192

39,192
39,192
39,192

9
386
126
0
5
0

155
0
0
5
21
39
31
19
48
1
72
0
48
10
6
455
32
19

1,902
9

1,911
58
5
5
10
0
0
4
1
17

1,911
0
100
0
0

0

9

61,062
63,406
65,844
68,380


86,018
86,018
86,018

86,018
86,018
86,018

76,430
76,430
76,430

0
524
0
0
0
0

208
0
0
23
45
51
120
32
55
0
73
0
83
19
5
714
NA
NA

552
1,293

1,845
73
10
1
9
0
0
5
1
1

1,845
25
50
24
1

0

12

4,740
4,770
4,920
5,370


NA
NA
NA

23,506
26,896
28,096

10,800
14,190
15,390

315
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

102
0
30
3
42
10
18
10
10
0
27
0
67
4
0
323
44
47

652
1,118

1,770
62
12
5
17
0
0
3
1
0

1,648
1
42
57
0

122

13

29,922
29,922
30,821
31,866


NA
NA
NA

61,700
61,700
61,700

40,200
40,200
40,200

294
130
40
0
3
0

78
0
0
2
14
29
9
6
0
0
3
0
6
0
0
147
53
69

1,398
55

1,453
64
12
1
16
0
1
5
0
2

1,453
1
92
6
0

0

16

8,400
8,400
8,450
9,050


23,376
23,376
23,376

24,976
24,976
24,976

13,306
13,306
13,306

485
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

94
0
0
0
6
29
3
5
3
1
15
2
16
4
2
180
66
14

893
23

916
67
9
3
9
0
0
0
9
3

916
1
96
2
0

0

9

48,214
49,768
52,481
54,356


73,896
73,896
73,896

72,970
72,970
72,970

59,060
59,060
59,060

0
217
0
0
0
0

114
0
0
3
27
39
26
27
54
8
86
0
33
15
5
437
92
10

586
121

707
63
8
7
11
0
0
4
3
5

702
4
84
11
0

5

12

14,486
14,838
15,140
15,180


NA
NA
NA

35,256
35,256
45,194

21,124
21,124
31,062

12
85
7
0
0
0

52
0
0
2
5
14
9
4
10
0
16
1
10
3
0
126
NA
NA

497
0

497
56
11
3
13
0
0
5
11
0

497
0
50
49
0

0

9

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

106
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

41
0
0
0
17
3
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
65
79
80

438
11

449
91
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
9

292
1
90
9
0

157

20

12,900
13,200
13,700
14,400


26,750
26,750
26,750

36,850
36,850
36,850

19,150
19,150
19,150

0
48
26
1
3
0

14
1
0
0
6
6
0
2
1
0
19
7
7
0
0
63
46
31

289
34

323
64
14
6
1
1
1
6
8
0

323
3
89
7
0

0

9

27,650
28,450
29,450
31,370


46,755
46,755
46,755

46,755
46,755
46,755

36,520
36,520
36,520

0
51
0
0
0
0

38
0
0
2
11
15
2
2
3
0
2
0
2
0
0
77
NA
NA

210
40

250
47
19
2
13
0
0
9
10
0

250
3
57
40
0

0

24

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

43
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

68
0
0
0
0
13
3
3
6
0
16
0
10
0
0
119
100
100

91
0

91
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

91
0
100
0
0

0

14

13,100
13,100
13,100
13,100


24,300
24,300
24,300

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
16
0
0
0
0

8
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
13

Page 1 of 2
Lancaster Theological Seminary
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
NA
NA

33
28

61
51
28
3
3
0
0
0
15
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

61

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
9
0
5
0

11
0
0
1
0
3
0
0
3
0
1
0
3
0
0
22

Page 2 of 2


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus