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Genesee 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.
 
Yeshiva Gedolah of Greater Detroit
Cranbrook Academy of Art  
Michigan School of Psychology  
Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield  
Dorsey College  
Chamberlain University-Michigan  
Cleary University  
Walsh College  
Rochester University  
Kettering University  
Lawrence Technological University  
Baker College  
University of Michigan-Flint  
Saginaw Valley State University  
Oakland Community College  
Oakland 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
70
26

12,104
3,818

15,922
68
9
7
5
0
0
4
3
5

12,719
2
83
15
0

3,203

17

13,934
13,934
14,476
14,694


29,303
29,303
37,797

29,038
29,038
37,532

20,806
20,806
29,300

0
3,228
781
70
176
0

786
7
0
25
206
74
153
119
153
9
120
0
227
51
1
1,931
NA
NA

3,647
10,184

13,831
52
20
3
6
0
0
5
7
6

13,831
6
56
38
0

0

22

2,528
2,780
2,900
3,020


NA
NA
NA

17,088
19,628
19,628

8,014
10,554
10,554

1,769
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

315
0
0
16
6
105
27
32
37
0
78
0
147
7
16
786
73
17

5,543
1,346

6,889
76
8
1
6
0
0
3
2
3

6,184
2
86
11
0

705

15

10,814
11,130
11,565
12,240


26,280
26,280
42,792

27,800
27,800
44,312

16,100
16,100
32,612

0
1,268
264
0
5
0

354
0
0
10
47
95
32
30
61
12
68
2
93
18
0
822
69
9

3,638
2,492

6,130
66
14
3
6
0
1
3
5
3

4,751
11
57
32
0

1,379

14

12,744
12,750
13,242
14,014


29,886
29,886
47,146

26,856
26,856
44,116

17,840
17,840
35,100

0
957
354
8
162
0

321
0
0
11
76
82
91
49
13
3
63
1
65
15
4
794
88
47

1,513
2,385

3,898
75
10
2
6
0
1
5
2
0

3,572
12
41
47
0

326

8

12,100
12,420
12,710
12,810


26,710
26,710
26,710

27,910
27,910
27,910

19,110
19,110
19,110

326
620
97
17
0
0

270
0
0
3
74
57
10
26
8
0
41
0
30
0
0
519
80
18

1,676
1,584

3,260
48
14
5
3
0
0
3
6
20

2,367
36
59
5
0

893

11

36,630
37,680
39,570
41,872


60,454
60,454
60,454

60,454
60,454
60,454

48,784
48,784
48,784

10
382
193
4
0
0

194
0
0
4
4
80
15
32
58
0
12
0
59
0
0
458
79
15

1,341
264

1,605
72
4
6
4
0
0
3
2
8

1,290
1
95
3
0

315

11

44,380
44,380
44,380
46,380


61,250
61,250
61,250

61,250
61,250
61,250

51,750
51,750
51,750

0
345
167
0
0
0

100
0
0
10
22
62
30
28
7
1
34
12
36
11
1
354
65
44

769
404

1,173
61
14
2
5
1
1
3
12
3

1,144
23
59
18
0

29

13

24,720
25,462
26,736
27,938


43,914
43,914
43,914

48,968
48,968
48,968

34,928
34,928
34,928

25
177
14
0
0
0

73
0
0
4
18
14
7
5
17
1
6
1
12
3
0
161
NA
NA

77
1,057

1,134
71
10
4
3
0
0
2
4
5

545
0
45
55
0

589

12

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
200
205
0
0
0

48
0
0
0
1
29
9
12
31
0
0
1
5
0
0
136
50
31

763
277

1,040
52
27
1
4
0
0
2
8
5

811
1
51
48
0

229

21

22,380
22,230
23,629
24,842


42,642
42,642
42,642

36,442
36,442
36,442

29,842
29,842
29,842

7
409
139
0
0
0

41
0
0
0
19
11
3
4
21
0
8
0
2
5
0
114
89
100

236
407

643
64
19
7
5
0
0
2
3
0

643
0
44
56
0

0

10

19,469
19,469
19,629
19,686


NA
NA
NA

42,634
42,634
42,634

28,094
28,094
28,094

0
122
0
0
0
0

24
0
0
0
15
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
45
NA
NA

547
0

547
17
66
2
1
0
1
6
6
0

547
0
37
63
0

0

12

15,753
15,977
16,990
32,160


NA
NA
NA

68,172
68,172
68,172

43,065
43,065
43,065

0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

44
0
0
0
31
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
85
100
41

274
141

415
25
62
2
5
0
1
5
0
0

415
0
28
72
0

0

20

NA
21,946
22,826
23,760


NA
NA
NA

46,107
46,107
46,107

30,797
30,797
30,797

0
0
0
0
0
0

24
0
0
0
7
8
0
1
2
0
0
0
3
0
0
45
NA
NA

126
50

176
69
16
7
3
1
0
3
0
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

176

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
74
0
16
0

20
0
0
2
5
4
1
2
2
1
0
0
3
0
0
40
NA
NA

119
0

119
43
10
8
2
0
3
4
3
27

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

119

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
68
0
0
0

12
0
0
11
7
9
7
0
0
0
0
4
3
0
0
53
93
100

71
0

71
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

71
3
97
0
0

0

12

7,800
8,600
8,600
8,600


19,900
19,900
19,900

32,500
32,500
32,500

18,700
18,700
18,700

0
17
0
0
0
0

6
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
13


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus