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.
|
Lincoln Technical Institute-Allentown |
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Schuylkill |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Lehigh Valley |
|
Cedar Crest College |
|
Albright College |
|
Muhlenberg College |
|
King's College |
|
Misericordia University |
|
Lebanon Valley College |
|
Alvernia University |
|
DeSales University |
|
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology |
|
Luzerne County Community College |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Harrisburg |
|
Reading Area Community College |
|
Wilkes University |
|
Lehigh Carbon Community College |
|
Kutztown University of Pennsylvania |
|
Commonwealth 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 |
95
33
9,481
1,607
11,088
78
5
1
6
0
0
2
6
0
9,967
6
88
6
0
1,121
19
NA
10,848
10,848
11,046
26,470
26,470
38,294
26,102
26,102
37,926
17,246
17,246
29,070
95
2,228
425
0
12
0
553
0
0
24
0
66
227
54
96
7
171
0
157
85
0
1,440 |
95
21
6,341
1,075
7,416
72
7
2
12
0
0
4
2
1
6,420
1
93
5
0
996
20
11,156
11,170
11,230
11,230
29,866
29,866
35,070
29,866
29,866
35,070
20,470
20,470
25,674
0
1,388
303
0
13
0
329
0
0
11
0
34
165
13
47
5
85
0
88
22
0
799 |
NA
NA
1,896
4,489
6,385
52
8
3
30
0
1
2
4
0
6,385
25
49
26
0
0
21
4,440
4,800
5,100
5,215
NA
NA
NA
23,015
27,010
31,005
12,215
16,210
20,205
806
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
201
0
0
4
38
55
7
23
20
0
16
0
41
2
0
407 |
91
9
2,352
2,846
5,198
70
12
4
8
0
0
3
1
2
1,956
2
91
7
0
3,242
13
38,752
39,914
41,112
42,286
61,885
61,885
61,885
56,486
56,486
56,486
48,529
48,529
48,529
0
487
737
30
84
0
245
0
0
13
130
29
31
34
53
5
54
0
44
18
1
657 |
NA
NA
892
3,896
4,788
42
9
2
42
0
0
4
0
1
4,788
33
41
26
0
0
20
5,820
5,910
6,060
6,270
NA
NA
NA
23,870
28,490
29,630
13,070
17,690
18,830
452
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
113
0
0
4
23
43
22
13
29
0
2
2
38
6
1
296 |
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 |
NA
NA
1,388
2,927
4,315
55
7
2
20
0
0
1
15
0
4,315
21
49
30
0
0
15
5,670
5,670
6,000
6,450
NA
NA
NA
19,450
24,130
28,810
11,450
16,130
20,810
475
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
179
0
0
6
16
25
2
16
19
0
39
0
59
10
2
373 |
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 |
79
16
2,304
615
2,919
71
5
5
13
0
0
2
4
0
2,149
2
84
14
0
770
11
39,500
41,000
42,600
44,800
64,916
64,916
64,916
62,216
62,216
62,216
53,024
53,024
53,024
0
547
289
0
27
0
209
0
0
3
41
49
45
27
45
6
48
0
47
14
0
534 |
62
12
1,946
539
2,485
62
10
2
14
0
0
3
4
4
2,050
1
81
18
0
435
12
38,030
39,280
40,750
42,810
61,900
61,900
61,900
53,010
53,010
53,010
46,810
46,810
46,810
79
372
179
6
31
0
164
0
0
3
31
22
36
6
41
0
6
0
17
6
8
340 |
75
20
1,864
278
2,142
83
3
2
6
0
0
3
2
1
1,710
1
97
1
0
432
12
46,030
47,180
48,620
50,320
69,528
69,528
69,528
69,528
69,528
69,528
54,788
54,788
54,788
0
377
126
0
55
0
173
0
0
8
29
25
17
15
40
5
40
0
42
8
0
402 |
85
19
1,759
348
2,107
81
4
1
6
0
0
2
5
0
1,670
1
85
14
0
437
10
35,940
35,940
35,940
38,370
56,046
56,046
56,046
51,744
51,744
51,744
41,620
41,620
41,620
0
446
140
0
51
0
177
0
0
6
41
38
9
18
47
2
52
0
31
4
0
425 |
93
13
1,609
323
1,932
76
5
3
11
0
0
2
2
1
1,590
5
93
3
0
342
11
40,080
40,880
41,600
42,600
61,874
61,874
61,874
61,289
61,289
61,289
52,021
52,021
52,021
0
401
146
0
0
0
141
0
0
6
19
33
17
16
40
6
28
0
25
42
5
378 |
64
15
1,776
42
1,818
72
5
4
11
0
0
4
4
1
1,788
1
95
3
0
30
8
54,600
55,830
58,005
60,240
77,845
77,845
77,845
77,890
77,890
77,890
63,890
63,890
63,890
0
529
13
0
0
0
215
0
0
9
13
65
38
21
66
6
86
2
68
17
2
608 |
86
8
1,306
346
1,652
51
19
2
18
0
0
6
2
2
1,328
1
89
10
0
324
10
26,688
27,678
28,230
28,794
46,422
46,422
46,422
46,822
46,822
46,822
32,868
32,868
32,868
0
250
20
0
0
0
122
0
0
2
22
34
36
4
47
8
43
0
25
11
0
354 |
99
14
845
403
1,248
51
10
3
17
0
0
3
13
5
886
1
73
26
0
362
9
41,567
42,591
43,643
44,934
61,785
61,785
61,785
61,435
61,435
61,435
49,934
49,934
49,934
0
264
101
0
10
0
100
0
0
3
6
36
3
7
23
0
16
0
45
6
0
245 |
94
16
832
122
954
53
8
11
21
0
0
4
2
1
954
7
84
9
0
0
15
14,486
14,838
15,140
15,180
NA
NA
NA
35,256
35,256
45,194
21,124
21,124
31,062
3
117
0
0
0
0
58
0
0
2
7
15
8
4
13
1
11
0
8
1
0
128 |
91
21
576
74
650
67
13
3
10
0
0
2
4
1
650
5
89
6
0
0
12
14,486
14,838
15,140
15,180
30,518
30,518
40,456
35,256
35,256
45,194
21,124
21,124
31,062
34
68
0
0
0
0
49
0
0
2
3
12
5
4
13
2
16
0
10
4
0
120 |
NA
NA
529
0
529
23
22
1
43
0
0
5
5
0
529
0
49
51
0
0
21
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
21
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
25
0
0
0
3
13
0
1
0
0
1
0
6
0
0
49 |
Page 1 of 2
Triangle Tech Inc-Sunbury |
Triangle Tech Inc-Bethlehem |
|
Fortis Institute-Forty Fort |
|
Miller-Motte College-McCann-Allentown |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Wilkes-Barre |
|
Miller-Motte College-Berks Technical Institute |
|
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Hazleton |
|
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
|
91
31
484
26
510
55
10
3
22
0
0
5
2
2
510
2
89
9
0
0
11
14,486
14,838
15,140
15,180
33,830
33,830
43,768
35,256
35,256
45,194
21,124
21,124
31,062
26
47
0
0
0
0
46
0
0
2
3
14
5
1
12
2
28
0
3
4
0
120 |
NA
NA
445
7
452
29
14
2
48
0
0
6
1
0
452
0
40
60
0
0
12
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
55
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
38
0
0
0
4
3
2
0
0
0
0
5
3
0
0
55 |
95
15
319
34
353
80
7
1
6
0
0
3
1
1
348
3
90
7
0
5
10
13,604
13,936
14,218
14,258
NA
NA
NA
34,334
34,334
43,826
20,202
20,202
29,694
9
38
0
0
0
0
32
0
0
2
1
9
5
2
9
0
11
0
8
2
0
81 |
NA
NA
264
13
277
20
21
0
45
0
1
8
4
0
277
0
37
63
0
0
14
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
43
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
19
0
0
0
0
5
1
0
0
0
0
7
1
0
0
33 |
NA
NA
159
0
159
38
25
1
27
0
1
6
3
0
159
0
33
67
0
0
18
13,921
16,863
13,757
13,955
NA
NA
NA
35,014
35,014
35,014
17,489
17,489
17,489
7
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
9
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
12 |
NA
NA
94
0
94
52
14
0
34
0
0
0
0
0
94
2
81
17
0
0
7
17,834
18,500
18,593
18,593
NA
NA
NA
39,755
39,755
39,755
27,075
27,075
27,075
86
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
13
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
20 |
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 |
Page 2 of 2
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
|