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Perry 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.
 
Triangle Tech-Chambersburg
Triangle Tech Inc-Sunbury  
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Mont Alto  
Central Penn College  
Wilson College  
Dickinson College  
Messiah University  
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology  
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg  
Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania  
Harrisburg Area 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

3,477
9,403

12,880
62
10
5
13
0
0
4
3
2

12,880
20
49
31
0

0

13

6,758
6,870
7,088
7,373


NA
NA
NA

24,588
26,133
28,615

15,128
16,673
19,155

1,707
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

672
0
0
15
65
64
81
62
41
0
42
12
136
0
0
1,190
86
20

4,163
1,021

5,184
75
11
2
7
0
0
4
1
1

4,421
5
90
5
0

763

18

13,544
13,544
13,544
13,544


31,078
31,078
33,332

29,530
29,530
31,784

18,126
18,126
20,380

0
933
253
0
13
0

255
0
0
11
1
40
113
22
35
4
58
0
74
32
0
645
96
12

4,187
464

4,651
47
9
13
8
0
0
4
2
18

4,164
2
91
7
0

487

15

15,216
15,586
15,904
15,944


38,442
38,442
49,166

36,020
36,020
46,744

21,888
21,888
32,612

6
729
187
6
0
0

299
1
0
6
9
41
31
28
50
1
85
1
65
17
1
635
82
14

3,297
261

3,558
9
6
2
4
0
0
1
1
78

718
10
74
16
0

2,840

17

23,900
23,900
23,900
23,900


37,800
37,800
37,800

37,800
37,800
37,800

28,900
28,900
28,900

0
104
686
6
0
0

202
0
2
3
72
13
8
11
11
0
4
32
6
12
0
376
78
32

2,532
812

3,344
76
5
4
8
0
0
4
1
2

2,586
11
88
2
0

758

12

37,180
38,370
39,490
40,640


56,770
56,770
56,770

58,090
58,090
58,090

45,750
45,750
45,750

0
550
213
0
42
0

240
0
0
10
31
43
34
34
75
9
114
0
89
17
4
700
43
17

2,176
41

2,217
64
4
5
7
0
0
4
1
14

2,204
2
97
0
0

13

9

56,523
58,733
61,351
63,475


83,227
83,227
83,227

83,290
83,290
83,290

66,490
66,490
66,490

0
371
3
0
0
0

240
0
0
13
43
95
44
45
67
8
134
0
102
29
8
828
90
20

652
1,042

1,694
81
6
1
5
0
0
2
4
1

1,180
4
55
41
0

514

12

26,090
26,200
26,200
27,000


41,967
41,967
41,967

37,773
37,773
37,773

30,673
30,673
30,673

2
169
123
0
0
0

69
0
0
2
4
26
11
9
24
0
5
1
18
1
0
170
26
61

191
636

827
48
16
3
9
0
0
6
15
3

806
0
48
51
0

21

8

18,714
18,714
19,404
19,404


30,320
30,320
30,320

27,854
27,854
27,854

22,204
22,204
22,204

107
129
10
0
0
0

48
0
0
1
13
17
3
3
15
0
7
0
5
2
0
114
90
24

501
87

588
78
4
4
7
0
0
4
1
1

587
4
86
10
0

1

9

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

55
76
0
0
0
0

61
0
0
1
0
13
7
2
10
1
26
0
11
3
0
135
NA
NA

64
0

64
80
8
0
11
0
0
2
0
0

64
3
72
25
0

0

7

17,933
18,665
18,701
18,700


NA
NA
NA

39,983
39,983
39,983

27,303
27,303
27,303

30
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

8
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
15
NA
NA

63
0

63
87
0
0
11
0
2
0
0
0

63
6
70
24
0

0

13

19,183
18,799
18,961
18,961


NA
NA
NA

40,327
40,327
40,327

27,647
27,647
27,647

31
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

5
0
0
0
2
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
9


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus