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Grafton 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.
 
Magdalen College
White Mountains Community College  
River Valley Community College  
University of New Hampshire-Franklin Pierce School of Law  
Vermont Law and Graduate School  
Lakes Region Community College  
Colby-Sawyer College  
NHTI-Concord's Community College  
New England College  
Plymouth State University  
Dartmouth College  
Southern New Hampshire 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
96
35

56,661
127,438

184,099
51
18
2
14
0
1
4
10
1

159,653
1
24
74
0

24,446

24

9,650
15,380
15,380
16,450


40,450
40,450
40,450

43,192
43,192
43,192

29,866
29,866
29,866

3,656
20,986
9,475
31
0
0

3,263
0
0
8
233
856
788
150
47
6
102
0
2,490
0
3
7,946
6
67

6,678
68

6,746
44
5
12
8
0
1
6
2
21

4,447
2
98
1
0

2,299

7

60,117
60,870
62,658
65,739


87,793
87,793
87,793

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
1,211
704
100
74
0

810
38
0
129
281
518
222
724
354
27
458
1
373
109
17
4,061
91
15

3,446
393

3,839
79
2
1
5
0
0
6
5
2

3,336
1
97
2
0

503

15

14,492
14,492
14,492
14,558


30,854
30,854
41,794

30,854
30,854
41,794

20,608
20,608
31,548

0
722
191
15
26
0

216
0
0
8
14
39
21
9
49
4
38
0
57
12
6
473
96
9

2,699
157

2,856
28
5
1
4
0
0
1
7
54

986
1
80
19
0

1,870

8

39,648
40,642
41,518
41,578


61,592
61,592
61,592

61,834
61,834
61,834

45,328
45,328
45,328

22
285
933
4
0
0

240
0
0
1
18
33
16
6
37
6
12
0
69
0
0
438
NA
NA

939
1,674

2,613
71
4
3
9
0
1
3
10
0

2,613
9
56
35
0

0

11

7,200
7,200
7,200
7,200


23,984
23,984
32,234

33,968
33,968
42,218

16,786
16,786
25,036

368
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

139
0
0
1
46
3
7
6
0
0
21
0
14
0
0
237
90
12

771
179

950
76
4
1
3
0
0
1
14
1

834
0
85
15
0

116

10

44,930
46,254
47,164
18,400


38,708
38,708
38,708

40,740
40,740
40,740

23,900
23,900
23,900

21
221
19
0
0
0

76
0
0
5
12
40
10
11
44
8
36
1
22
3
0
268
NA
NA

218
477

695
78
1
1
5
0
1
2
12
0

695
22
51
27
0

0

9

6,738
6,720
6,720
6,720


22,428
22,428
30,678

29,604
29,604
37,854

13,196
13,196
21,446

100
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

40
0
0
1
28
3
3
2
0
0
6
0
4
0
0
87
NA
NA

533
157

690
62
4
2
11
0
1
2
15
3

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

690

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
124
0
113
0

67
6
5
7
24
20
7
8
4
0
0
0
20
4
0
172
NA
NA

448
237

685
67
3
5
8
0
0
3
8
7

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

685

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
28
0
170
0

46
0
0
2
4
9
2
0
3
0
0
0
11
1
0
78
NA
NA

101
573

674
80
3
2
6
0
0
4
6
0

674
3
36
61
0

0

6

6,940
6,940
6,940
6,940


NA
NA
NA

31,792
31,792
40,042

17,804
17,804
26,054

110
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

53
0
0
0
22
3
3
1
0
0
1
0
3
0
0
86
NA
NA

163
345

508
78
1
1
6
0
1
3
11
0

508
11
46
43
0

0

7

7,050
7,050
7,050
7,050


NA
NA
NA

26,994
26,994
35,244

15,482
15,482
23,732

97
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

39
0
0
2
23
2
2
2
0
0
7
0
3
0
0
80
44
100

58
0

58
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

58
0
98
2
0

0

12

24,000
23,600
24,000
23,600


37,956
37,956
37,956

35,800
35,800
35,800

24,900
24,900
24,900

0
15
0
0
0
0

7
0
0
1
3
2
1
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
17


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus