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Canadian 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.
 
Randall University
Southwestern Christian University  
Central Oklahoma College  
University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma  
Redlands Community College  
Langston University  
Southern Nazarene University  
Oklahoma Christian University  
Oklahoma City University  
University of Oklahoma-Health Sciences Center  
Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City  
Rose State College  
Oklahoma City Community College  
University of Central Oklahoma  
University of Oklahoma-Norman 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
77
30

23,191
5,954

29,145
55
5
6
13
0
4
9
2
6

22,025
2
91
7
0

7,120

17

11,688
12,012
9,312
9,595


30,486
30,486
47,556

30,486
30,486
47,556

17,176
17,176
34,246

0
4,464
2,354
208
168
0

1,507
368
0
74
150
658
673
329
488
61
469
0
641
169
73
5,660
82
47

8,681
3,467

12,148
52
8
4
14
0
4
11
2
6

10,454
3
77
20
0

1,694

17

7,817
8,030
8,234
8,522


27,168
27,168
38,055

32,586
32,586
43,473

20,022
20,022
30,909

31
2,234
448
0
0
0

578
0
0
11
114
110
84
56
128
4
55
3
291
40
12
1,486
NA
NA

2,986
8,483

11,469
44
10
6
22
0
4
7
5
1

11,469
15
55
30
0

0

21

4,059
4,059
4,059
4,059


NA
NA
NA

17,699
17,699
23,450

9,359
9,359
15,110

1,593
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

234
0
15
7
77
73
22
16
18
0
20
1
63
13
3
562
NA
NA

2,186
5,127

7,313
46
12
2
10
0
4
12
13
0

7,313
13
62
24
0

0

21

4,754
4,754
5,010
5,032


22,706
22,706
29,083

22,706
22,706
29,083

13,782
13,782
20,159

716
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

184
0
0
13
0
42
13
23
45
0
17
0
68
19
0
424
NA
NA

926
3,208

4,134
55
10
3
18
0
4
8
1
0

4,134
14
43
43
0

0

16

3,779
3,779
3,779
3,779


NA
NA
NA

14,920
14,920
20,705

9,386
9,386
15,171

690
17
0
0
0
0

122
0
0
4
0
29
15
25
17
0
11
0
43
0
4
270
NA
NA

3,001
562

3,563
59
4
12
8
0
3
1
9
4

1,143
0
74
26
0

2,420

8

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
497
163
36
465
0

1,068
0
0
3
24
482
458
412
100
304
293
2
527
106
32
3,811
70
37

2,487
276

2,763
56
6
4
12
0
2
8
1
10

1,447
1
89
10
0

1,316

11

32,744
32,744
32,744
33,586


47,438
47,438
47,438

47,438
47,438
47,438

37,836
37,836
37,836

0
346
270
32
177
0

240
0
0
7
26
48
27
21
56
0
21
0
74
19
5
544
97
24

2,109
634

2,743
56
12
13
8
0
2
7
1
0

2,012
4
73
23
0

731

15

25,090
25,090
25,148
25,900


39,950
39,950
39,950

39,950
39,950
39,950

31,270
31,270
31,270

45
340
267
0
0
0

187
0
0
1
19
32
22
13
66
1
19
0
22
8
0
390
NA
NA

1,871
294

2,165
51
16
1
15
0
6
7
1
2

1,465
1
68
31
0

700

11

26,000
27,000
28,600
29,600


46,157
46,157
46,157

47,932
47,932
47,932

37,006
37,006
37,006

18
343
235
47
0
0

115
0
0
5
18
29
20
12
62
5
7
19
30
8
1
331
NA
NA

1,763
147

1,910
4
75
0
5
0
7
3
2
4

1,743
3
89
8
0

167

16

6,509
6,509
6,639
6,728


21,394
21,394
28,921

21,490
21,490
29,017

10,508
10,508
18,035

108
205
17
0
13
0

113
0
0
2
6
44
17
24
45
2
11
0
48
15
0
327
NA
NA

515
1,380

1,895
64
4
0
14
0
7
9
2
0

1,895
36
50
14
0

0

20

5,360
5,360
5,385
5,385


16,749
16,749
19,315

17,360
17,360
19,926

11,285
11,285
13,851

167
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

49
0
0
2
8
25
7
6
15
0
7
0
20
7
2
148
56
33

845
69

914
63
4
1
4
0
5
11
5
7

914
0
89
11
0

0

13

8,040
8,040
9,000
9,000


21,770
21,770
32,960

21,770
21,770
32,960

14,130
14,130
25,320

0
80
0
0
0
0

63
0
0
1
3
15
7
4
32
1
22
0
10
3
0
161
NA
NA

192
275

467
36
29
1
16
0
3
10
4
0

467
0
43
57
0

0

14

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

47
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

24
0
0
1
4
3
6
1
1
0
1
3
5
0
0
49
NA
NA

344
20

364
45
13
1
9
0
8
7
2
16

351
0
92
7
0

13

12

19,114
19,908
21,316
21,316


35,054
35,054
35,054

37,126
37,126
37,126

26,468
26,468
26,468

2
60
9
0
0
0

30
0
0
1
9
6
2
1
16
1
6
0
3
3
0
78
45
68

241
56

297
46
4
0
25
0
6
9
3
6

281
4
75
21
1

16

9

16,120
16,190
16,720
17,322


30,338
30,338
30,338

34,790
34,790
34,790

22,148
22,148
22,148

6
49
3
0
0
0

28
0
0
1
1
2
6
1
0
0
2
1
2
2
0
46


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus