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Polk 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.
 
Sherman College of Chiropractic
Spartanburg Methodist College  
Converse University  
Isothermal Community College  
Wofford College  
Strayer University-South Carolina  
North Greenville University  
Blue Ridge Community College  
Bob Jones University  
University of South Carolina-Upstate  
Spartanburg Community College  
Greenville Technical 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

4,008
6,653

10,661
57
17
3
15
0
0
4
3
0

10,661
21
51
28
0

0

15

4,778
4,778
5,402
5,639


NA
NA
NA

30,148
30,744
35,166

9,900
10,496
14,918

1,193
8
0
0
0
0

428
0
0
5
36
67
69
29
60
4
42
1
59
22
2
824
NA
NA

2,427
3,903

6,330
56
23
3
12
0
0
5
2
0

6,330
18
49
33
0

0

16

4,902
4,902
4,902
5,046


NA
NA
NA

13,901
15,053
18,965

9,807
10,959
14,871

675
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

237
0
0
5
19
38
29
19
47
4
30
0
44
13
0
485
70
27

3,601
1,345

4,946
50
29
3
8
0
0
4
4
2

4,471
10
73
17
0

475

15

11,583
11,583
11,583
11,583


26,860
26,860
37,822

28,648
28,648
39,610

17,848
17,848
28,810

0
1,058
109
0
0
0

262
0
0
19
21
69
14
16
74
4
54
0
66
19
0
618
NA
NA

2,224
669

2,893
70
2
3
7
0
0
1
8
8

2,477
11
85
4
0

416

13

20,890
20,950
21,890
23,400


38,250
38,250
38,250

41,600
41,600
41,600

28,350
28,350
28,350

45
544
94
3
0
0

205
1
0
4
70
40
27
31
126
3
86
7
93
18
6
717
NA
NA

647
2,175

2,822
72
4
2
15
0
1
0
5
1

2,822
31
41
28
0

0

13

2,651
2,651
2,648
2,660


NA
NA
NA

19,087
19,087
25,231

9,261
9,261
15,405

364
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

130
0
0
4
32
61
10
15
15
3
13
0
36
11
1
331
63
22

1,870
349

2,219
67
10
1
5
0
0
3
13
2

1,944
11
79
10
0

275

13

22,110
22,560
23,690
24,650


43,330
43,330
43,330

43,650
43,650
43,650

31,830
31,830
31,830

0
328
101
12
0
0

149
0
0
8
20
30
31
13
76
1
20
0
27
32
1
408
NA
NA

171
1,890

2,061
25
67
0
3
0
1
3
2
0

1,830
0
12
88
0

231

39

13,515
13,515
13,515
13,920


NA
NA
NA

25,158
25,158
25,158

15,720
15,720
15,720

114
200
78
0
0
0

16
0
0
0
14
14
3
0
0
0
0
9
1
0
0
57
59
21

1,867
6

1,873
80
6
2
5
0
0
3
0
2

1,873
0
99
0
0

0

12

47,650
49,550
51,530
54,100


72,858
72,858
72,858

66,746
66,746
66,746

58,562
58,562
58,562

0
425
0
0
0
0

155
0
0
11
13
37
42
21
73
2
79
0
35
14
0
482
NA
NA

687
1,123

1,810
72
9
1
10
0
0
5
3
0

1,810
38
36
25
0

0

12

1,994
1,994
2,030
2,030


NA
NA
NA

30,967
30,967
35,575

11,465
11,465
16,073

356
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

94
2
2
3
34
30
8
6
9
0
17
3
22
4
1
235
64
13

920
421

1,341
58
12
2
9
0
1
3
8
6

852
1
94
6
0

489

12

19,850
19,850
21,410
23,096


41,170
41,170
41,170

42,370
42,370
42,370

28,946
28,946
28,946

0
130
87
16
0
0

82
0
0
4
0
17
12
6
43
0
33
0
39
0
0
236
81
28

993
36

1,029
44
32
1
16
0
0
6
0
1

1,029
1
93
6
0

0

17

17,540
18,000
19,350
19,350


35,132
35,132
35,132

33,314
33,314
33,314

23,984
23,984
23,984

197
38
0
0
0
0

55
0
0
3
11
32
7
7
22
0
34
0
5
0
0
176
NA
NA

381
0

381
73
4
2
16
0
0
0
3
1

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

381

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
0
0
97
0

39
1
0
2
6
4
5
5
3
0
1
9
26
0
0
101


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus