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Calhoun 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.
 
Great Lakes Christian College
Western Michigan University Homer Stryker M.D. School of Medicine  
The University of Olivet  
Kalamazoo College  
Glen Oaks Community College  
Albion College  
Hillsdale College  
Spring Arbor University  
Kellogg Community College  
Jackson College  
Western Michigan 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
85
15

12,381
4,312

16,693
67
8
3
8
0
0
4
2
8

13,026
4
87
9
0

3,667

16

13,017
13,434
14,623
15,298


30,770
30,770
34,570

30,770
30,770
34,570

20,185
20,185
23,985

0
3,339
913
100
81
0

892
30
0
29
219
88
210
163
136
26
289
0
220
92
36
2,430
NA
NA

1,009
3,966

4,975
66
12
1
6
0
1
4
9
0

4,975
21
43
35
0

0

15

6,703
6,420
6,735
7,040


22,122
22,837
24,877

20,812
21,527
23,567

10,812
11,527
13,567

664
1
0
0
0
0

65
0
0
2
31
35
11
13
5
0
57
2
27
7
0
255
NA
NA

827
2,907

3,734
71
9
2
8
0
1
3
5
1

3,734
22
41
36
1

0

11

4,611
4,545
4,635
3,798


NA
NA
NA

14,370
16,320
18,474

8,900
10,850
13,004

511
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

202
0
0
4
8
57
6
10
29
2
3
2
47
6
3
379
37
18

1,977
413

2,390
68
9
2
5
0
0
3
10
2

1,091
5
77
18
0

1,299

11

30,472
31,080
31,660
32,580


46,120
46,120
46,120

46,120
46,120
46,120

35,160
35,160
35,160

2
339
518
0
11
0

134
0
0
3
0
28
6
9
21
4
5
1
75
6
0
292
21
62

1,611
212

1,823
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
100
0

1,688
7
92
1
0

135

8

29,482
30,042
30,902
32,092


48,472
48,472
48,472

48,472
48,472
48,472

35,292
35,292
35,292

0
325
20
2
0
0

189
0
0
10
94
92
58
42
80
8
122
5
135
18
7
860
83
8

1,339
15

1,354
55
17
1
13
0
0
3
7
4

1,354
2
97
1
0

0

11

50,775
53,090
54,930
55,746


70,116
70,116
70,116

70,586
70,586
70,586

58,016
58,016
58,016

0
281
0
0
0
0

124
0
0
6
21
55
26
17
65
5
25
0
25
11
3
383
NA
NA

387
828

1,215
72
4
1
14
0
0
3
5
0

1,215
34
46
20
0

0

23

3,744
3,960
4,056
4,128


19,806
21,390
22,254

17,296
18,880
19,744

10,462
12,046
12,910

170
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

29
0
0
4
9
24
0
7
1
0
8
0
12
0
0
94
76
13

1,190
6

1,196
60
5
5
17
0
0
5
2
5

1,196
2
98
0
0

0

10

52,434
54,522
56,562
58,764


74,208
74,208
74,208

74,208
74,208
74,208

62,664
62,664
62,664

0
298
0
0
0
0

123
0
0
6
4
48
31
16
45
6
31
0
46
16
3
375
97
24

918
55

973
66
16
1
7
0
0
8
2
0

938
1
95
4
0

35

14

30,126
31,104
32,006
33,076


48,928
48,928
48,928

47,542
47,542
47,542

37,042
37,042
37,042

0
181
22
0
0
0

59
0
0
1
4
32
9
5
51
4
22
0
5
7
0
199
NA
NA

352
0

352
54
6
16
10
0
0
5
8
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

352

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
3
0
77
0

130
19
0
5
16
49
28
34
15
297
29
0
107
4
0
733
NA
NA

120
10

130
61
24
1
6
0
0
3
1
5

130
0
94
6
0

0

13

17,220
17,220
18,050
19,990


31,940
31,940
31,940

35,180
35,180
35,180

21,940
21,940
21,940

9
18
0
0
0
0

13
0
0
0
6
5
0
0
4
0
0
0
5
2
0
35


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus