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Hancock 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.
 
Winebrenner Theological Seminary
Bluffton University  
Ohio State University-Lima Campus  
Heidelberg University  
University of Northwestern Ohio  
Ohio Northern University  
Tiffin University  
James A. Rhodes State College  
Northwest State Community College  
The University of Findlay  
Owens Community College  
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus  
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
81
21

13,123
3,904

17,027
76
6
1
5
0
0
4
3
5

14,014
10
84
6
0

3,013

17

11,573
13,061
13,639
14,081


31,699
31,699
39,688

32,073
32,073
40,062

21,061
21,061
29,050

0
2,898
1,225
81
0
0

860
3
0
15
228
177
138
102
108
15
159
5
190
26
7
2,033
NA
NA

1,738
6,024

7,762
72
9
1
9
0
0
3
3
1

7,762
18
49
33
0

0

14

5,390
5,510
5,630
5,750


NA
NA
NA

17,896
17,896
22,408

11,976
11,976
16,488

909
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

246
0
0
0
29
81
45
38
42
0
33
0
66
17
0
597
86
19

3,030
2,027

5,057
66
4
1
4
0
0
3
13
9

3,954
39
58
3
0

1,103

13

36,484
37,188
37,621
39,646


55,150
55,150
55,150

50,580
50,580
50,580

44,150
44,150
44,150

11
389
237
12
131
0

274
0
0
4
19
81
12
23
68
14
36
0
56
25
2
614
NA
NA

598
3,512

4,110
56
2
1
7
0
0
1
33
0

4,110
17
49
34
0

0

25

4,338
4,338
4,578
4,578


NA
NA
NA

23,288
23,288
27,640

14,364
14,364
18,716

303
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

68
0
0
2
11
18
6
8
5
1
19
6
27
1
1
173
NA
NA

615
3,353

3,968
75
4
1
0
0
0
3
17
0

3,968
54
32
13
0

0

19

4,396
4,396
4,532
4,657


NA
NA
NA

18,757
18,757
23,317

11,427
11,427
15,987

261
0
0
0
0
0

89
0
0
0
1
43
9
11
21
0
13
0
19
0
0
206
80
13

2,049
1,549

3,598
44
15
2
1
0
0
3
30
6

2,669
10
65
25
0

929

20

27,610
28,480
30,120
32,400


48,550
48,550
48,550

48,550
48,550
48,550

35,900
35,900
35,900

0
349
291
5
0
0

107
0
11
2
1
50
12
4
84
9
21
2
11
4
4
322
73
18

2,787
255

3,042
77
3
2
4
3
0
4
5
2

2,592
7
91
2
0

450

13

34,440
35,380
36,730
37,800


54,486
54,486
54,486

51,564
51,564
51,564

46,911
46,911
46,911

0
505
7
0
171
0

226
0
0
7
6
38
77
20
85
3
8
0
54
0
2
526
NA
NA

2,434
172

2,606
79
5
1
6
0
1
0
3
4

2,572
0
92
7
0

34

25

11,550
11,550
12,470
12,930


27,057
27,057
27,057

27,057
27,057
27,057

17,856
17,856
17,856

799
126
30
0
0
0

101
0
0
3
27
17
12
7
42
0
8
40
15
15
4
291
68
19

971
88

1,059
82
10
0
3
0
0
2
2
0

905
1
98
1
0

154

15

32,300
33,600
33,600
33,628


48,328
48,328
48,328

43,378
43,378
43,378

36,628
36,628
36,628

0
222
62
0
0
0

68
8
0
2
14
23
7
6
38
2
26
0
18
8
2
222
NA
NA

616
124

740
77
5
4
6
0
0
4
3
0

739
10
82
8
0

1

16

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


NA
NA
NA

24,660
24,660
50,166

17,062
17,062
42,568

50
90
0
0
0
0

40
0
1
0
0
10
7
1
9
0
14
0
5
5
0
92
61
11

647
31

678
68
17
1
3
0
0
3
7
1

602
0
97
3
0

76

10

34,502
34,502
35,516
36,298


52,514
52,514
52,514

52,878
52,878
52,878

42,948
42,948
42,948

0
159
28
0
0
0

57
0
0
2
7
19
4
4
21
4
6
5
7
0
0
136
NA
NA

84
41

125
74
14
2
4
0
0
0
5
1

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

125

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
19
0
0
0

6
0
0
0
2
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
11


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus