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Warren 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.
 
University of Pittsburgh-Titusville
Northern Pennsylvania Regional College  
Erie Institute of Technology Inc  
Jamestown Business College  
Great Lakes Institute of Technology  
University of Pittsburgh-Bradford  
Allegheny College  
Mercyhurst University  
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Erie-Behrend College  
Jamestown Community College  
Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine  
Gannon University  
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
13

3,673
875

4,548
57
5
3
4
0
0
3
4
24

2,920
15
82
3
0

1,628

13

34,526
34,526
36,706
37,951


57,635
57,635
57,635

57,635
57,635
57,635

42,025
42,025
42,025

9
600
583
9
127
0

300
0
0
5
20
96
32
24
81
9
55
0
75
12
3
712
NA
NA

4,117
0

4,117
55
4
26
9
0
0
2
4
0

10
0
40
60
0

4,107

2

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
212
10
851
0

233
1
0
13
78
38
13
22
10
7
61
0
102
18
0
596
NA
NA

1,481
2,291

3,772
79
2
1
9
0
2
2
3
2

3,772
54
32
14
0

0

16

6,336
6,350
6,450
6,600


21,440
21,440
26,880

21,570
21,570
27,010

14,700
14,700
20,140

455
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

90
0
0
7
4
29
23
13
31
4
14
0
40
8
0
263
96
19

3,095
228

3,323
77
4
5
4
0
0
3
2
5

3,226
2
94
4
0

97

12

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


37,346
37,346
48,070

36,020
36,020
46,744

21,888
21,888
32,612

24
661
53
0
0
0

275
8
0
2
18
40
23
14
46
7
100
1
56
16
4
610
83
20

2,402
266

2,668
73
6
1
5
0
0
1
9
6

2,292
3
90
7
0

376

15

41,350
42,680
43,460
44,510


62,245
62,245
62,245

59,221
59,221
59,221

47,971
47,971
47,971

97
489
204
0
0
0

164
0
0
6
19
85
22
35
90
8
5
1
33
1
7
476
59
10

1,153
78

1,231
69
8
3
8
0
0
4
2
6

1,231
1
97
2
0

0

8

50,980
52,530
53,610
54,960


72,256
72,256
72,256

69,756
69,756
69,756

58,460
58,460
58,460

0
369
0
0
0
0

149
0
0
10
12
83
12
6
51
0
23
0
37
11
0
394
91
7

951
52

1,003
66
11
4
7
0
0
3
4
4

1,003
3
93
4
0

0

12

14,082
14,354
14,620
14,620


31,000
31,000
42,874

33,490
33,490
45,364

20,152
20,152
32,026

21
193
0
0
0
0

80
0
0
0
0
20
11
10
15
1
0
2
45
12
0
196
NA
NA

253
50

303
76
12
1
7
0
0
2
2
0

303
1
68
31
0

0

14

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

43
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

20
0
0
0
0
9
1
0
0
0
2
2
3
0
0
37
86
77

248
3

251
67
4
0
13
1
4
11
1
0

251
0
74
26
0

0

50

12,645
12,945
12,945
12,945


NA
NA
NA

23,945
23,945
23,945

18,245
18,245
18,245

67
37
0
0
0
0

5
0
0
0
0
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
12
NA
NA

183
0

183
84
10
2
2
0
0
1
0
0

183
0
60
39
1

0

7

14,839
14,348
14,194
15,768


NA
NA
NA

46,100
46,100
46,100

31,205
31,205
31,205

33
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

17
0
0
0
5
3
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
26
NA
NA

20
80

100
80
2
0
6
0
0
7
5
0

100
25
38
37
0

0

5

4,640
4,640
4,440
4,440


NA
NA
NA

16,503
16,863
20,943

7,496
7,856
11,936

10
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

11
0
0
0
5
17
4
1
15
0
0
0
6
0
0
59
45
52

24
4

28
71
4
4
0
0
0
11
11
0

28
0
61
39
0

0

3

11,626
11,792
11,918
11,918


NA
NA
NA

30,788
30,788
41,080

17,450
17,450
27,742

7
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

8
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
0
0
0
0
7
4
0
22


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus