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Coshocton 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.
 
Zane State College
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus  
Mount Vernon Nazarene University  
Kent State University at Tuscarawas  
Muskingum University  
Kenyon College  
Denison University  
Ohio State University-Newark Campus  
Central Ohio 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

530
2,360

2,890
64
13
6
3
0
0
8
6
0

2,890
42
33
25
0

0

16

4,776
4,896
5,016
5,136


NA
NA
NA

19,088
19,088
21,848

10,440
10,440
13,200

354
0
0
0
0
0

82
0
0
1
5
25
10
5
17
0
13
0
19
0
0
177
NA
NA

2,013
409

2,422
59
19
7
6
0
0
5
2
0

2,422
9
86
5
0

0

28

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

351
100
0
0
0
0

78
0
2
1
0
19
9
5
18
0
8
0
12
3
0
155
17
26

2,391
14

2,405
60
5
4
7
0
0
4
2
17

2,405
2
98
0
0

0

9

56,680
57,500
60,000
64,000


81,900
81,900
81,900

81,900
81,900
81,900

66,500
66,500
66,500

0
509
0
0
0
0

256
0
0
20
2
175
40
35
65
15
108
4
84
15
3
822
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
82
17

1,460
648

2,108
68
5
1
2
0
0
3
20
0

1,524
7
83
10
0

584

13

29,490
30,090
30,690
31,440


46,630
46,630
46,630

45,748
45,748
45,748

38,170
38,170
38,170

0
288
91
0
0
0

122
1
4
3
20
61
9
6
37
2
35
0
20
0
0
320
NA
NA

410
1,475

1,885
84
5
1
4
0
0
3
2
0

1,885
18
59
23
0

0

20

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


NA
NA
NA

26,410
26,410
35,882

13,452
13,452
22,924

186
66
0
0
0
0

71
0
0
0
6
12
11
2
18
0
11
0
6
2
0
139
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
NA
NA

431
1,368

1,799
84
4
1
3
0
0
4
4
0

1,799
8
76
17
0

0

12

5,674
5,774
6,004
6,178


NA
NA
NA

17,320
17,320
20,312

10,326
10,326
13,318

53
53
0
0
0
0

42
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
47
NA
NA

536
1,083

1,619
88
3
1
2
0
1
4
2
0

1,619
54
33
13
0

0

15

5,456
5,556
5,706
5,856


NA
NA
NA

18,168
18,168
23,778

12,092
12,092
17,702

252
5
0
0
0
0

62
0
0
1
0
15
12
3
11
0
3
1
11
4
0
123


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus