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Washington 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.
 
American Academy of Health and Wellness
Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School  
United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities  
Luther Seminary  
Mitchell Hamline School of Law  
Macalester College  
Hamline University  
University of Northwestern-St Paul  
Bethel University  
St Catherine University  
Inver Hills Community College  
University of Wisconsin-River Falls  
Concordia University-Saint Paul  
Metropolitan State University  
Anoka-Ramsey Community College  
University of St Thomas  
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
22

6,984
2,137

9,121
64
7
6
8
0
0
4
5
5

6,044
1
97
3
0

3,077

13

47,383
48,329
50,366
52,284


68,812
68,812
68,812

71,072
71,072
71,072

55,880
55,880
55,880

44
1,376
880
51
144
0

569
0
0
21
23
171
188
130
161
5
200
0
132
15
0
1,615
NA
NA

2,620
5,223

7,843
60
12
6
6
0
0
5
10
1

7,843
45
41
14
0

0

25

5,286
5,515
5,655
5,682


NA
NA
NA

29,036
29,036
29,036

17,959
17,959
17,959

946
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

161
0
0
3
76
17
14
17
9
2
16
3
40
6
0
364
96
30

2,733
3,272

6,005
38
30
16
7
0
1
4
1
3

5,271
2
44
54
0

734

14

8,249
9,395
9,684
9,780


NA
NA
NA

36,208
36,208
36,208

20,344
20,344
20,344

0
1,531
206
0
15
0

281
0
0
11
119
21
33
42
11
2
0
1
60
7
0
588
75
18

4,593
1,261

5,854
50
12
7
8
0
0
4
4
15

3,146
10
59
31
0

2,708

15

23,400
23,900
24,400
25,000


41,800
41,800
41,800

41,800
41,800
41,800

31,000
31,000
31,000

30
887
880
17
33
0

193
0
0
5
79
20
6
9
56
0
2
0
22
0
0
392
82
22

4,022
1,042

5,064
87
2
3
4
0
0
2
1
1

4,675
9
85
5
0

389

17

8,063
8,088
8,135
8,606


20,404
20,404
28,685

23,746
23,746
32,027

14,086
14,086
22,367

21
1,039
166
0
0
0

259
0
0
11
17
58
41
37
75
1
51
0
62
20
6
638
NA
NA

1,159
2,530

3,689
52
18
6
14
0
0
5
3
0

3,689
35
42
23
0

0

20

5,558
5,809
6,007
6,007


NA
NA
NA

20,523
20,523
20,523

13,539
13,539
13,539

423
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

97
0
0
4
31
10
12
12
3
1
11
1
15
4
0
201
94
24

2,228
1,305

3,533
58
14
11
10
0
0
4
3
1

2,431
3
66
31
0

1,102

10

42,594
46,494
47,870
49,758


64,744
64,744
64,744

64,744
64,744
64,744

53,108
53,108
53,108

154
568
421
0
93
0

281
0
0
11
21
65
43
30
104
4
46
0
51
5
0
661
91
29

2,286
1,235

3,521
71
7
5
7
0
0
3
6
1

2,629
20
71
10
0

892

12

39,030
40,080
41,270
42,930


59,390
59,390
59,390

60,430
60,430
60,430

50,088
50,088
50,088

34
569
283
22
16
0

226
0
0
10
21
55
24
34
106
7
28
2
66
11
1
591
92
33

1,858
1,404

3,262
81
4
3
6
0
0
4
1
1

3,173
47
49
3
0

89

15

33,200
34,180
35,340
36,830


52,262
52,262
52,262

49,530
49,530
49,530

44,960
44,960
44,960

33
392
50
0
0
0

137
0
0
5
59
44
37
25
38
4
30
0
49
7
3
438
90
14

1,676
756

2,432
59
11
8
10
0
0
5
4
2

1,710
1
94
5
0

722

13

44,230
46,221
46,616
48,311


62,261
62,261
62,261

62,261
62,261
62,261

50,231
50,231
50,231

0
413
266
15
0
0

153
0
0
8
43
49
30
21
36
1
19
0
24
5
4
393
28
23

2,110
32

2,142
52
6
8
11
0
0
8
1
14

2,142
1
99
0
0

0

10

58,478
60,518
62,500
64,908


82,991
82,991
82,991

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
511
0
0
0
0

213
0
0
21
69
75
46
35
56
5
53
1
65
6
14
659
NA
NA

456
761

1,217
67
9
4
8
0
3
0
6
1

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

1,217

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
0
0
308
0

107
0
0
5
13
39
20
7
31
0
6
0
19
1
0
248
NA
NA

168
180

348
74
7
1
5
0
0
2
1
10

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

348

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
135
0
0
0

22
2
17
5
14
6
6
4
1
0
4
14
5
0
0
100
NA
NA

94
150

244
77
7
2
1
1
0
3
7
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

244

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
27
0
5
0

7
0
0
1
0
3
2
1
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
20
NA
NA

84
75

159
82
8
1
6
0
1
2
1
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

159

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
50
0
0
0

6
0
0
0
5
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
14
NA
NA

17
12

29
41
0
55
0
0
3
0
0
0

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

29

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
5
0
1
0

8
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
15


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus