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Osage 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.
 
Phillips Theological Seminary
Oklahoma Technical College  
ATA College  
Miller-Motte College-Tulsa  
Clary Sage College  
Community Care College  
Spartan College of Aeronautics and Technology  
Tulsa Welding School-Tulsa  
Oklahoma Wesleyan University  
Southwestern College  
Oklahoma State University Center for Health Sciences  
Cowley County Community College  
Northern Oklahoma College  
University of Tulsa  
Oral Roberts University  
Tulsa 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

4,557
9,981

14,538
47
7
5
15
0
7
13
3
2

14,538
15
56
29
0

0

18

3,445
3,445
3,541
3,768


NA
NA
NA

22,047
22,047
27,999

8,712
8,712
14,664

2,600
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

404
0
0
30
116
80
31
57
134
16
41
0
151
42
4
1,106
99
24

3,446
1,919

5,365
37
12
4
13
0
3
4
9
18

4,565
22
64
14
0

800

17

30,930
31,558
32,640
34,100


49,920
49,920
49,920

52,926
52,926
52,926

40,720
40,720
40,720

0
533
157
6
3
0

230
0
0
10
14
86
33
28
99
8
26
1
87
17
9
648
58
15

3,149
410

3,559
50
7
6
11
0
3
8
5
10

2,485
1
94
5
0

1,074

9

43,985
45,673
47,211
48,602


66,688
66,688
66,688

66,688
66,688
66,688

55,496
55,496
55,496

0
721
268
49
107
0

334
20
0
30
88
85
79
64
151
5
36
1
103
20
2
1,018
NA
NA

1,239
1,844

3,083
60
5
1
11
1
13
2
5
1

3,083
11
73
17
0

0

20

4,560
4,857
4,857
5,061


16,885
16,885
23,650

16,061
16,061
22,826

11,861
11,861
18,626

666
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

93
1
0
3
32
19
4
10
11
0
26
0
27
2
1
229
NA
NA

1,154
1,004

2,158
66
5
1
12
0
2
6
1
6

2,158
25
50
25
0

0

16

3,420
3,420
3,900
4,350


16,450
16,750
18,250

16,850
17,150
18,650

9,850
10,150
11,650

446
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

97
0
0
2
32
9
9
5
27
1
21
0
19
4
2
228
NA
NA

1,170
663

1,833
60
7
6
8
0
4
12
1
1

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

1,833

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
281
28
108
0

216
0
0
7
33
128
75
57
8
177
18
0
168
34
0
921
65
24

680
459

1,139
43
18
2
15
1
2
2
16
2

1,038
0
60
40
0

101

11

33,250
34,900
36,650
38,480


58,750
58,750
58,750

57,630
57,630
57,630

48,307
48,307
48,307

0
320
37
9
0
0

105
0
0
0
1
19
6
5
39
1
5
0
12
0
0
193
77
37

618
329

947
51
6
1
8
0
6
7
13
7

824
53
37
10
0

123

15

28,924
29,498
30,262
31,466


45,076
45,076
45,076

45,076
45,076
45,076

35,894
35,894
35,894

14
136
39
0
0
0

56
0
0
2
29
6
5
5
26
2
8
0
4
0
0
143
NA
NA

934
0

934
44
16
2
19
0
19
0
0
0

934
1
57
42
0

0

30

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

42
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

15
0
0
1
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
13
6
2
0
42
NA
NA

744
0

744
48
9
3
9
1
6
6
16
3

744
0
45
55
0

0

17

21,915
18,251
19,591
18,828


36,130
36,130
36,130

38,562
38,562
38,562

29,410
29,410
29,410

155
31
0
0
0
0

43
0
0
1
5
14
0
1
0
0
7
13
11
7
1
103
NA
NA

430
0

430
48
17
1
7
0
20
5
2
0

430
0
31
69
0

0

22

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

87
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

20
0
0
1
0
8
6
1
1
0
0
5
5
0
0
47
NA
NA

367
0

367
41
17
1
10
0
13
2
16
0

367
2
54
43
0

0

17

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

4
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

23
0
0
1
0
2
3
0
0
0
0
3
7
0
0
39
NA
NA

274
9

283
24
45
1
5
0
14
10
0
0

283
0
19
81
0

0

14

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

67
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

20
0
0
0
1
5
2
0
0
0
3
8
5
0
0
44
NA
NA

178
0

178
42
20
3
7
1
0
24
3
0

178
0
44
56
0

0

30

13,120
13,120
13,120
15,000


NA
NA
NA

33,323
33,323
33,323

23,213
23,213
23,213

92
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

15
0
0
0
3
4
2
0
0
0
0
2
3
0
0
29
NA
NA

120
0

120
42
13
3
13
1
24
0
3
0

120
1
43
56
0

0

11

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

1
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

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

39
59

98
70
19
1
3
0
2
3
0
1

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

98

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
17
5
0
0

18
0
0
5
6
3
5
2
3
0
0
3
6
1
0
52


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus