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Erie 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.
 
Jamestown Business College
Villa Maria College  
Hilbert College  
Trocaire College  
Bryant & Stratton College-Buffalo  
D'Youville University  
Daemen University  
Jamestown Community College  
Niagara County Community College  
Niagara University  
Genesee Community College  
Erie Community College  
Bryant & Stratton College-Online  
University at Buffalo  
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
69
16

26,261
5,628

31,889
44
8
14
7
0
0
3
3
20

20,463
3
92
5
0

11,426

11

10,526
10,782
10,782
10,782


33,788
33,788
53,578

31,708
31,708
51,498

17,034
17,034
36,824

0
4,851
3,422
315
765
0

2,066
29
21
56
166
393
596
229
199
318
492
0
266
166
34
5,031
NA
NA

6,058
3,360

9,418
44
40
1
7
0
1
5
1
0

9,418
0
22
78
0

0

38

15,076
15,294
15,292
15,891


NA
NA
NA

21,611
21,611
21,611

18,491
18,491
18,491

950
157
0
0
0
0

195
0
0
0
13
7
11
6
159
0
11
2
41
0
0
445
NA
NA

4,396
3,222

7,618
49
17
6
7
0
0
4
16
1

7,618
18
55
26
0

0

16

5,722
5,722
5,935
6,100


NA
NA
NA

19,290
24,490
24,490

9,390
14,590
14,590

919
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

251
0
0
11
0
50
11
46
54
1
58
0
58
0
0
540
NA
NA

1,443
2,845

4,288
69
9
1
6
0
1
3
9
2

4,288
50
30
19
0

0

14

5,040
5,240
5,440
5,800


18,930
18,930
19,530

18,930
18,930
19,530

10,715
10,715
11,315

503
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

103
0
0
5
56
46
20
2
10
1
28
0
33
7
0
311
85
16

3,753
468

4,221
54
6
1
4
0
0
2
2
30

2,747
3
86
11
0

1,474

10

35,240
35,980
37,180
38,135


54,085
54,085
54,085

54,255
54,255
54,255

43,255
43,255
43,255

3
738
388
10
0
0

276
0
0
6
22
98
47
26
69
8
23
0
52
16
3
646
NA
NA

2,195
2,022

4,217
74
10
3
5
0
1
6
1
0

4,217
33
48
19
0

0

21

5,501
5,980
6,165
6,726


22,380
22,380
27,516

22,380
22,380
27,516

9,260
9,260
14,396

594
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

144
0
0
5
55
37
6
9
6
2
39
0
58
9
0
370
NA
NA

1,481
2,291

3,772
79
2
1
9
0
2
2
3
2

3,772
54
32
14
0

0

16

6,336
6,350
6,450
6,600


21,440
21,440
26,880

21,570
21,570
27,010

14,700
14,700
20,140

455
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

90
0
0
7
4
29
23
13
31
4
14
0
40
8
0
263
76
16

2,243
382

2,625
74
9
4
6
0
1
2
2
2

1,806
11
81
8
0

819

13

30,360
31,250
32,760
33,724


50,164
50,164
50,164

39,124
39,124
39,124

36,224
36,224
36,224

0
398
349
0
69
0

178
0
0
6
0
71
8
16
29
4
22
0
63
10
4
411
82
13

1,692
852

2,544
51
14
8
6
0
0
3
7
10

1,299
0
82
18
0

1,245

11

29,006
30,108
31,170
33,560


49,560
49,560
49,560

49,560
49,560
49,560

37,760
37,760
37,760

91
337
270
13
123
0

182
0
0
4
7
54
20
11
43
0
0
0
61
0
0
382
NA
NA

542
1,298

1,840
34
46
3
9
0
1
6
2
0

1,840
5
44
51
0

0

23

17,833
17,578
18,435
19,126


NA
NA
NA

26,306
26,306
26,306

22,406
22,406
22,406

169
59
0
0
0
0

57
0
0
0
4
16
1
2
22
0
2
0
8
0
0
112
83
38

391
713

1,104
47
28
3
8
0
1
1
12
0

1,104
11
31
57
0

0

9

18,340
18,700
19,250
19,820


NA
NA
NA

35,020
35,020
35,020

25,120
25,120
25,120

348
18
0
0
0
0

78
0
0
3
25
30
10
2
0
1
0
0
11
0
0
160
98
19

907
66

973
37
6
1
3
0
0
2
48
2

939
6
82
12
0

34

15

24,530
25,680
29,900
32,150


48,250
48,250
48,250

42,170
42,170
42,170

34,050
34,050
34,050

0
143
14
0
0
0

59
0
0
3
9
22
10
3
20
3
14
0
7
1
0
151
87
31

451
94

545
43
36
5
7
0
1
8
1
0

545
6
79
15
0

0

9

25,400
25,900
27,130
28,670


NA
NA
NA

41,590
41,590
41,590

31,970
31,970
31,970

26
60
0
0
0
0

55
0
0
2
17
7
2
0
6
0
0
5
5
4
0
103
86
77

248
3

251
67
4
0
13
1
4
11
1
0

251
0
74
26
0

0

50

12,645
12,945
12,945
12,945


NA
NA
NA

23,945
23,945
23,945

18,245
18,245
18,245

67
37
0
0
0
0

5
0
0
0
0
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
12


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus