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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
|
New Castle School of Trades |
Pittsburgh Technical College |
|
Institute of Medical Careers |
|
Kent State University at East Liverpool |
|
Washington & Jefferson College |
|
Westminster College |
|
Geneva College |
|
Kent State University at Salem |
|
Community College of Beaver County |
|
Carlow University |
|
Chatham University |
|
Butler County Community College |
|
La Roche University |
|
Point Park University |
|
Robert Morris University |
|
Duquesne University |
|
Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania |
|
Pennsylvania Western University |
|
Carnegie Mellon University |
|
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh 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
|
50
16
27,001
7,524
34,525
60
6
12
6
0
0
4
2
9
25,171
18
80
2
0
9,354
13
19,678
20,362
21,080
21,524
38,446
38,446
56,812
39,004
39,004
57,370
25,026
25,026
43,392
25
4,624
2,015
430
737
0
4,887
793
50
154
62
1,357
789
3,123
493
206
541
137
1,354
111
22
14,079 |
11
44
14,517
1,079
15,596
18
3
21
7
0
0
3
5
42
7,289
2
96
1
0
8,307
5
58,924
58,924
61,344
63,829
83,697
83,697
83,697
81,887
81,887
81,887
66,909
66,909
66,909
0
1,514
4,339
332
0
0
1,507
124
0
50
64
476
962
1,353
403
43
133
8
527
107
27
5,784 |
94
28
8,141
3,164
11,305
74
8
1
4
0
0
3
9
1
8,336
2
83
15
0
2,969
17
NA
10,958
10,958
11,388
29,308
29,308
33,926
26,878
26,878
31,496
16,108
16,108
20,726
211
2,055
1,568
0
53
0
532
0
0
31
22
76
226
37
85
44
145
0
150
70
0
1,418 |
75
34
7,002
1,348
8,350
84
4
1
3
0
0
3
1
3
6,803
1
94
5
0
1,547
20
9,984
10,507
10,507
10,507
26,035
26,035
30,143
27,635
27,635
31,743
18,693
18,693
22,801
0
1,816
482
16
75
0
377
0
0
13
0
42
136
18
39
27
73
0
112
53
0
890 |
79
13
7,820
317
8,137
76
5
4
5
0
0
3
1
6
5,226
1
97
2
0
2,911
12
41,892
43,526
45,376
47,146
68,164
68,164
68,164
69,824
69,824
69,824
59,445
59,445
59,445
0
1,385
641
96
337
0
617
0
0
27
32
67
329
84
108
10
196
0
198
21
2
1,691 |
91
12
3,239
1,498
4,737
56
7
1
2
0
0
4
16
13
3,769
16
78
6
0
968
14
32,130
32,770
33,767
34,940
53,274
53,274
53,274
52,780
52,780
52,780
43,850
43,850
43,850
0
657
288
24
30
0
218
0
0
7
74
45
15
7
80
0
41
0
24
14
0
525 |
98
10
2,289
1,010
3,299
67
14
2
9
0
0
4
1
4
2,323
1
87
12
0
976
12
34,200
35,610
36,620
38,160
54,180
54,180
54,180
44,650
44,650
44,650
41,500
41,500
41,500
0
526
258
56
3
0
222
0
0
4
56
50
38
12
67
3
14
0
35
10
9
520 |
78
11
949
1,669
2,618
49
5
3
2
0
0
16
18
8
2,300
50
44
6
0
318
11
30,320
31,570
32,284
33,120
50,348
50,348
50,348
46,816
46,816
46,816
37,954
37,954
37,954
5
208
170
0
0
0
86
0
0
0
29
37
14
10
21
0
11
0
23
6
0
237 |
NA
NA
875
1,593
2,468
87
2
2
3
0
0
4
2
0
2,468
18
60
22
0
0
11
5,250
5,250
5,460
5,610
NA
NA
NA
14,710
17,800
20,800
8,710
11,800
14,800
381
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
126
0
0
2
12
46
43
6
5
0
21
0
41
0
0
302 |
70
11
1,825
494
2,319
65
8
4
6
0
0
0
14
3
1,507
1
84
14
0
812
10
39,902
40,877
42,125
43,810
61,634
61,634
61,634
62,634
62,634
62,634
48,310
48,310
48,310
0
266
230
0
168
0
206
0
0
4
53
45
7
10
29
3
44
0
35
9
11
456 |
87
20
1,418
892
2,310
71
17
3
4
0
0
3
1
1
1,344
1
67
32
0
966
12
31,446
32,390
33,500
34,502
52,290
52,290
52,290
52,290
52,290
52,290
38,884
38,884
38,884
0
250
248
0
23
0
187
0
0
3
26
57
8
12
12
2
27
0
26
6
1
367 |
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 |
82
12
1,157
5
1,162
76
7
2
6
0
0
7
0
2
1,162
0
99
1
0
0
10
50,192
50,192
50,192
28,185
44,295
44,295
44,295
44,295
44,295
44,295
32,385
32,385
32,385
0
219
1
0
0
0
117
0
0
7
21
20
28
13
36
5
42
1
26
10
0
326 |
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
866
0
866
38
58
0
2
0
2
0
0
0
866
0
35
65
0
0
25
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
172
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
29
0
0
1
3
2
7
1
0
0
0
6
14
3
0
66 |
NA
NA
695
169
864
78
10
1
1
0
1
3
6
0
864
4
69
27
0
0
12
16,460
16,699
16,974
18,980
40,808
40,808
40,808
40,808
40,808
40,808
27,005
27,005
27,005
265
60
0
0
0
0
64
0
0
2
25
22
2
8
8
1
19
4
21
4
0
180 |
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 |
Page 1 of 2
Byzantine Catholic Seminary of Saints Cyril and Methodius |
Allegheny Wesleyan College |
|
Triangle Tech Inc-Pittsburgh |
|
East Ohio College |
|
Vet Tech Institute |
|
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary |
|
Penn Commercial Business/Technical School |
|
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Greater Allegheny |
|
Pittsburgh Institute of Mortuary Science Inc |
|
Rosedale Technical College |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver |
|
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
|
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 |
77
71
405
0
405
78
14
0
2
0
0
4
0
0
405
0
76
24
0
0
15
15,125
15,663
15,663
16,700
NA
NA
NA
36,800
36,800
36,800
23,700
23,700
23,700
197
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
27
0
0
1
5
8
4
0
0
0
0
6
3
4
0
58 |
49
60
93
309
402
85
9
0
3
0
0
2
0
0
402
0
44
56
0
0
13
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
75
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
8
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
15 |
95
23
344
17
361
59
19
7
4
0
1
6
1
3
361
0
93
7
0
0
8
13,720
14,052
14,340
14,380
33,030
33,030
42,522
34,456
34,456
43,948
20,324
20,324
29,816
0
39
0
0
0
0
43
0
0
2
6
10
5
2
14
1
27
1
7
2
0
120 |
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 |
73
64
223
0
223
78
14
2
0
0
1
4
1
0
223
0
57
43
0
0
5
12,075
12,175
12,175
13,654
NA
NA
NA
28,304
28,304
28,304
21,104
21,104
21,104
32
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
26
0
0
0
4
3
3
1
1
0
1
2
3
0
0
44 |
NA
NA
175
48
223
66
21
1
0
0
0
3
2
6
0
NA
NA
NA
NA
223
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
0
31
7
0
0
16
0
0
5
9
17
3
4
2
0
4
0
7
3
0
70 |
73
60
199
0
199
83
6
1
2
0
1
5
3
0
199
0
89
11
0
0
15
15,140
15,240
16,100
16,920
NA
NA
NA
25,198
25,198
25,198
20,198
20,198
20,198
141
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
12
0
0
0
0
5
0
0
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
23 |
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
90
0
90
61
27
0
2
0
3
6
1
0
90
1
60
39
0
0
7
17,792
18,443
18,538
18,538
NA
NA
NA
39,801
39,801
39,801
27,121
27,121
27,121
56
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
13
0
0
0
4
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
21 |
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 |
NA
NA
16
19
35
69
0
0
3
0
0
0
29
0
0
NA
NA
NA
NA
35
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
0
4
0
0
0
7
0
0
1
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
13 |
Page 2 of 2
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
|