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Houston 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.
 
Luther College
Viterbo University  
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota  
Western Technical College  
Northeast Iowa Community College  
Winona State University  
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse  
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
73
43

9,209
1,090

10,299
88
1
2
4
0
0
3
1
1

9,378
1
97
2
0

921

19

9,160
9,195
9,232
9,651


19,767
19,767
28,807

19,767
19,767
28,807

11,807
11,807
20,847

15
1,983
310
0
50
0

496
0
0
19
19
86
61
55
110
8
129
0
103
20
7
1,113
69
28

4,754
1,304

6,058
82
3
3
5
0
0
4
1
2

5,267
2
88
10
0

791

15

9,780
10,184
10,492
10,498


23,962
23,962
30,694

23,962
23,962
30,694

14,038
14,038
20,770

40
1,370
197
8
53
0

342
0
0
8
74
18
33
41
59
3
52
0
58
16
0
704
NA
NA

1,180
3,198

4,378
89
3
1
4
0
0
1
2
0

4,378
21
64
14
0

0

20

6,000
6,120
6,270
6,600


NA
NA
NA

22,400
22,400
23,270

13,400
13,400
14,270

358
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

199
0
0
2
49
51
25
16
7
0
45
0
35
0
0
429
NA
NA

1,613
2,293

3,906
76
3
4
6
0
1
4
5
0

3,906
8
58
34
0

0

10

4,500
4,572
4,636
4,716


17,578
17,578
19,771

19,172
19,172
21,365

10,628
10,628
12,821

582
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

254
0
0
3
38
59
25
23
55
0
40
3
54
2
1
557
89
23

2,596
1,235

3,831
54
9
4
7
0
1
0
23
2

1,075
1
80
19
0

2,756

18

38,280
39,410
41,150
43,160


57,380
57,380
57,380

57,380
57,380
57,380

57,380
57,380
57,380

0
320
985
32
11
0

161
0
0
7
17
76
29
64
79
0
33
0
40
13
0
519
73
25

1,687
614

2,301
82
3
2
7
0
0
2
2
2

1,443
3
76
21
0

858

12

29,350
29,920
31,150
32,350


46,530
46,530
46,530

46,530
46,530
46,530

35,350
35,350
35,350

0
367
248
0
30
0

147
0
0
8
15
59
12
9
58
2
26
1
34
8
0
379
73
20

1,442
21

1,463
73
4
2
6
0
1
0
1
13

1,463
1
99
0
0

0

10

45,610
46,760
48,160
50,320


65,555
65,555
65,555

65,555
65,555
65,555

54,375
54,375
54,375

0
383
0
0
0
0

148
0
0
5
15
32
31
20
38
0
35
0
40
11
1
376


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus