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Ashland 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.
 
Ohio Business College-Sheffield
Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute  
Ohio State University-Mansfield Campus  
University of Akron Wayne College  
Mount Vernon Nazarene University  
The College of Wooster  
Kenyon College  
North Central State College  
Oberlin College  
Ashland University  
Lorain County 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

2,120
7,290

9,410
72
9
1
10
0
0
5
1
0

9,410
41
35
23
0

0

14

3,745
3,810
4,005
4,135


NA
NA
NA

15,535
16,190
20,130

7,553
8,208
12,148

1,356
9
0
0
0
0

278
0
0
8
54
43
58
47
92
0
31
7
90
5
0
713
81
18

2,640
1,503

4,143
75
10
2
3
0
0
3
3
4

3,123
18
58
24
0

1,020

15

23,060
24,080
26,340
28,910


44,378
44,378
44,378

39,050
39,050
39,050

33,550
33,550
33,550

138
545
381
8
16
0

218
0
0
5
153
89
23
29
71
1
109
3
63
15
1
780
33
21

2,951
25

2,976
62
4
5
8
0
0
9
1
10

2,966
0
99
0
0

10

9

58,554
60,240
62,024
64,646


87,404
87,404
87,404

80,732
80,732
80,732

67,654
67,654
67,654

0
683
0
0
0
0

309
0
0
39
93
31
52
43
108
6
44
1
97
29
2
854
NA
NA

683
1,768

2,451
85
3
1
4
0
0
4
2
0

2,451
47
34
19
0

0

17

4,468
4,384
4,624
4,624


NA
NA
NA

17,011
17,011
21,489

8,086
8,086
12,564

332
19
0
0
0
0

73
0
0
0
23
26
2
8
20
0
15
3
18
1
0
189
31
18

1,752
432

2,184
58
3
5
6
0
0
5
13
9

2,184
8
92
0
0

0

9

55,020
63,310
66,490
69,330


87,590
87,590
87,590

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
495
0
0
0
0

222
0
0
20
23
88
51
7
38
7
92
8
77
27
1
661
54
12

1,870
6

1,876
61
9
4
6
0
0
4
1
14

1,876
2
98
0
0

0

10

54,000
55,500
57,500
59,550


75,800
75,800
75,800

72,795
72,795
72,795

66,476
66,476
66,476

0
395
0
0
0
0

179
0
0
14
13
60
25
16
85
15
26
1
49
14
10
507
84
28

1,597
248

1,845
86
2
1
4
0
0
3
3
1

1,631
16
68
16
0

214

12

31,610
32,864
34,168
35,524


51,420
51,420
51,420

50,624
50,624
50,624

42,724
42,724
42,724

14
344
136
0
0
0

161
0
0
3
9
66
10
13
56
4
34
0
39
6
3
404
81
55

439
922

1,361
85
1
2
4
0
0
3
5
0

1,361
56
37
7
0

0

32

6,116
6,505
7,291
7,699


NA
NA
NA

24,979
24,979
31,652

11,965
11,965
18,638

0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

27
0
0
2
3
5
1
4
13
0
0
0
3
7
0
65
NA
NA

683
166

849
72
10
3
6
0
0
5
3
0

843
14
78
8
0

6

17

8,237
8,550
8,944
9,212


25,278
25,278
50,784

24,660
24,660
50,166

17,062
17,062
42,568

212
73
0
0
0
0

44
0
1
1
0
7
9
0
8
0
12
0
3
3
0
88
NA
NA

424
38

462
91
2
0
2
0
0
2
2
0

462
7
91
2
0

0

14

8,295
8,606
8,998
9,310


25,376
25,376
50,882

24,758
24,758
50,264

17,160
17,160
42,666

133
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

31
0
0
1
0
6
9
4
11
0
1
0
6
0
0
69
NA
NA

148
17

165
38
30
1
22
0
0
1
9
0

165
0
35
64
1

0

12

9,385
9,385
9,385
9,385


NA
NA
NA

37,348
37,348
37,348

24,100
24,100
24,100

11
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

11
0
0
1
0
1
3
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
0
19


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus