Ersys Logo Ersys Name
Lewis County – Colleges/Universities 2023-2024

Picture of valves

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.
 
Saint Elizabeth College of Nursing
Herkimer County Community College  
Hamilton College  
St Lawrence University  
Jefferson Community College  
SUNY Polytechnic Institute  
SUNY College of Technology at Canton  
Clarkson University  
Utica University  
Mohawk Valley Community College  
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
NA
NA

2,474
3,288

5,762
62
7
6
7
0
0
4
12
1

5,762
46
38
16
0

0

18

5,500
5,500
5,776
6,114


22,362
22,362
24,943

22,150
22,150
24,731

11,095
11,095
13,676

702
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

162
0
0
9
52
55
14
17
43
1
51
0
51
1
1
457
87
17

2,598
1,135

3,733
62
10
4
8
0
1
3
9
2

2,580
4
78
18
0

1,153

14

22,260
24,214
24,308
24,308


40,191
40,191
40,191

40,711
40,711
40,711

28,211
28,211
28,211

0
744
392
0
94
0

235
0
0
8
56
23
47
27
48
3
14
0
53
4
0
518
77
11

3,166
437

3,603
67
3
4
6
0
0
3
2
14

2,513
5
95
1
0

1,090

12

52,724
54,370
56,258
57,950


79,022
79,022
79,022

79,798
79,798
79,798

62,980
62,980
62,980

0
667
382
38
14
0

265
25
0
1
4
64
49
29
84
9
64
0
70
25
7
696
96
14

2,330
589

2,919
66
11
3
11
0
2
3
3
2

2,919
4
63
33
0

0

17

8,689
8,689
8,689
8,689


28,967
28,967
33,797

30,599
30,599
35,429

13,899
13,899
18,729

245
525
0
0
0
0

143
0
0
5
25
40
16
24
38
8
58
0
45
17
0
419
78
10

1,930
774

2,704
63
9
8
9
0
0
3
0
7

1,904
5
79
16
0

800

14

8,427
8,548
8,578
8,578


26,928
26,928
38,578

28,578
28,578
40,228

12,678
12,678
24,328

0
513
220
10
0
0

160
0
0
0
4
48
21
7
27
11
43
0
28
10
1
360
NA
NA

1,086
1,166

2,252
65
7
2
8
0
2
3
12
1

2,252
32
43
25
0

0

18

5,688
5,688
5,832
6,048


23,372
23,372
23,372

23,372
23,372
23,372

13,988
13,988
13,988

342
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

80
0
0
2
15
13
8
14
5
1
14
0
37
0
0
189
58
17

2,058
31

2,089
77
2
2
5
0
1
2
2
10

2,060
2
98
0
0

29

11

58,750
60,220
62,020
63,870


82,000
82,000
82,000

72,270
72,270
72,270

66,620
66,620
66,620

0
538
10
0
0
0

192
0
0
20
102
50
40
23
29
5
149
9
76
11
8
714
12
41

2,044
4

2,048
65
3
9
9
0
0
6
2
8

2,048
1
99
0
0

0

9

58,510
59,970
62,670
65,740


84,230
84,230
84,230

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
500
0
0
0
0

245
0
0
22
33
92
43
28
88
12
94
0
54
31
0
742
NA
NA

940
923

1,863
68
12
2
7
0
1
2
6
2

1,863
39
39
22
0

0

16

5,706
5,776
5,776
5,776


23,572
23,572
23,572

23,572
23,572
23,572

10,274
10,274
10,274

301
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

64
1
0
2
8
25
2
5
4
3
21
0
43
2
0
180
100
0

84
62

146
82
4
6
5
0
0
3
0
0

146
1
64
35
0

0

6

18,570
18,750
19,300
19,300


NA
NA
NA

28,850
28,850
39,550

28,850
28,850
39,550

53
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

17
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
1
0
2
0
1
0
0
26


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus