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Columbiana 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.
 
Allegheny Wesleyan College
East Ohio College  
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry  
Aultman College of Nursing and Health Sciences  
Ross College-Canton  
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver  
New Castle School of Trades  
Kent State University at East Liverpool  
Westminster College  
Geneva College  
Kent State University at Salem  
Community College of Beaver County  
Walsh University  
University of Mount Union  
Kent State University at Stark  
Stark State College  
Youngstown State University  
Eastern Gateway 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

5,021
10,472

15,493
55
20
2
15
0
1
6
1
0

15,493
12
18
69
1

0

22

4,020
4,230
4,230
4,205


NA
NA
NA

9,305
9,485
11,171

7,005
7,185
8,871

7,599
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

448
0
25
3
82
6
10
12
15
0
4
3
37
4
0
649
80
28

7,766
3,274

11,040
70
8
2
5
0
0
3
4
9

8,436
12
78
10
0

2,604

18

9,656
10,021
10,478
10,791


26,399
26,399
26,759

26,951
26,951
27,311

16,539
16,539
16,899

98
1,734
837
16
44
0

441
0
0
12
25
70
101
65
156
27
45
0
127
35
8
1,112
NA
NA

2,449
7,167

9,616
77
12
3
1
0
0
5
1
0

9,616
36
39
25
0

0

18

4,310
4,310
4,548
4,670


NA
NA
NA

17,776
17,776
20,872

8,392
8,392
11,488

1,062
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

280
0
0
2
29
20
45
26
26
0
39
0
29
1
0
497
NA
NA

907
2,526

3,433
80
7
1
4
0
0
4
3
1

3,423
21
61
18
0

10

21

6,229
6,758
7,058
7,272


NA
NA
NA

26,410
26,410
35,882

13,452
13,452
22,924

405
14
0
0
0
0

119
0
0
0
7
12
15
5
4
0
22
0
20
3
0
207
80
20

1,945
224

2,169
81
7
2
3
0
0
1
4
2

1,927
6
92
1
1

242

12

32,600
33,400
34,400
35,400


49,976
49,976
49,976

46,962
46,962
46,962

42,812
42,812
42,812

0
424
76
0
30
0

161
0
0
4
15
35
24
17
48
2
43
0
33
21
0
403
78
19

1,615
545

2,160
56
6
2
3
0
0
3
23
6

1,423
6
86
8
0

737

13

31,725
32,315
33,235
34,595


49,922
49,922
49,922

47,942
47,942
47,942

37,953
37,953
37,953

0
331
247
0
37
0

140
0
0
1
19
20
12
9
54
0
23
0
34
7
2
321
NA
NA

534
1,139

1,673
81
6
1
3
0
1
4
3
0

1,673
32
51
17
0

0

17

6,720
6,810
7,020
7,290


NA
NA
NA

18,927
25,317
31,527

10,269
16,659
22,869

262
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

56
0
0
1
5
25
2
7
15
0
10
0
15
0
1
137
NA
NA

271
1,192

1,463
83
6
1
4
0
0
3
3
0

1,463
21
58
21
0

0

24

6,229
6,758
7,058
7,272


NA
NA
NA

26,410
26,410
35,882

13,452
13,452
22,924

101
33
0
0
0
0

43
0
0
0
8
2
5
2
2
0
2
0
3
2
0
69
NA
NA

1,038
220

1,258
80
5
1
4
0
0
3
4
3

1,149
13
81
6
0

109

12

29,040
29,970
30,990
33,610


47,390
47,390
47,390

40,410
40,410
40,410

36,410
36,410
36,410

1
282
52
0
0
0

104
0
0
4
24
39
13
9
30
2
19
0
15
11
0
270
86
14

1,062
141

1,203
74
5
1
4
0
0
4
12
0

1,155
1
94
5
0

48

12

37,675
38,230
38,700
39,470


54,100
54,100
54,100

54,100
54,100
54,100

43,720
43,720
43,720

0
184
23
0
0
0

87
0
0
4
14
16
11
12
36
10
39
0
30
8
0
267
NA
NA

20
1,036

1,056
81
5
1
4
0
0
5
3
1

1,056
31
48
21
0

0

31

6,229
6,758
7,058
7,272


NA
NA
NA

26,410
26,410
35,882

13,452
13,452
22,924

60
0
0
0
0
0

21
0
0
0
1
4
0
2
0
0
1
0
5
1
0
35
NA
NA

623
0

623
80
15
0
2
0
0
3
0
0

623
1
60
39
0

0

19

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

191
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

29
0
0
1
6
9
3
1
0
0
5
0
1
0
0
55
92
11

474
30

504
69
8
5
7
0
0
5
2
3

504
3
92
5
0

0

11

13,720
13,936
14,218
14,380


33,860
33,860
43,352

34,456
34,456
43,948

20,324
20,324
29,816

0
83
0
0
0
0

44
0
0
2
1
9
5
4
10
1
28
0
8
2
0
114
NA
NA

278
66

344
17
20
0
1
0
0
4
57
0

344
0
29
71
0

0

17

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

57
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

18
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
27
41
55

97
144

241
84
7
0
0
0
0
4
4
0

241
4
59
37
0

0

7

18,950
19,310
19,310
19,854


NA
NA
NA

34,038
34,038
34,038

26,582
26,582
26,582

26
44
0
0
0
0

22
0
0
1
1
11
11
2
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
51
NA
NA

36
191

227
88
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

227

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
26
0
0
2

34
0
0
3
7
4
5
2
1
0
3
0
3
2
0
64
NA
NA

149
0

149
81
13
1
2
1
0
2
1
0

149
1
39
60
0

0

10

14,497
13,964
13,778
14,370


NA
NA
NA

25,762
25,762
25,762

18,150
18,150
18,150

58
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

15
0
0
0
0
2
3
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
24
NA
NA

43
27

70
93
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
0

70
29
67
4
0

0

6

6,800
6,800
6,800
6,800


14,612
14,612
14,612

15,270
15,270
15,270

11,220
11,220
11,220

0
7
0
0
0
0

10
0
0
2
0
4
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
22


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus