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Wayne 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.
 
Yeshivath Beth Moshe
Fortis Institute-Scranton  
Yeshivath Zichron Moshe  
Clarks Summit University  
Johnson College  
Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine  
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Scranton  
Sullivan County Community College  
Lackawanna College  
Marywood University  
University of Scranton  
SUNY Broome Community College  
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania  
Binghamton 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
38
17

16,601
1,855

18,456
50
5
16
12
0
0
4
2
12

14,409
2
97
2
0

4,047

18

10,014
10,390
10,363
10,363


30,657
30,657
49,747

30,657
30,657
49,747

15,108
15,108
34,198

0
3,573
1,229
138
86
0

935
33
0
55
131
86
268
208
163
76
327
0
257
165
2
2,706
93
20

4,572
888

5,460
55
19
2
17
0
0
4
2
1

4,697
3
89
8
0

763

20

11,559
11,559
10,987
11,036


29,048
29,048
37,014

32,172
32,172
40,138

17,894
17,894
25,860

0
913
248
0
18
0

251
0
0
9
0
36
103
29
34
3
54
0
65
19
0
603
NA
NA

2,462
2,967

5,429
61
11
6
11
0
0
4
7
0

5,429
39
44
18
0

0

19

6,136
6,332
6,704
7,470


25,870
25,870
31,342

21,155
21,155
26,627

12,382
12,382
17,854

670
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

172
0
0
6
65
30
27
16
13
1
44
0
48
2
8
432
84
13

4,057
768

4,825
70
4
4
11
0
0
3
3
5

3,666
0
98
2
0

1,159

13

47,084
48,462
50,312
52,309


72,399
72,399
72,399

65,681
65,681
65,681

58,181
58,181
58,181

1
872
421
13
65
0

314
0
0
14
39
65
57
45
86
4
89
2
104
73
3
895
84
16

2,397
453

2,850
68
3
2
9
0
0
2
5
11

1,874
1
92
7
0

976

11

36,928
37,284
38,226
39,570


58,744
58,744
58,744

58,510
58,510
58,510

49,662
49,662
49,662

0
354
454
3
7
0

208
0
0
4
16
34
21
8
38
1
23
0
59
17
0
429
NA
NA

1,389
550

1,939
53
15
1
18
0
0
3
8
0

1,939
5
63
32
0

0

22

16,130
16,130
17,340
17,950


34,170
34,170
34,170

30,288
30,288
30,288

22,240
22,240
22,240

363
111
0
0
0
0

72
0
0
0
61
52
9
7
20
0
12
0
23
0
0
256
NA
NA

717
1,092

1,809
43
13
2
31
0
0
4
4
2

1,809
46
36
18
0

0

18

6,310
6,308
6,283
6,288


21,288
21,288
26,760

21,288
21,288
26,760

9,288
9,288
14,760

160
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

46
0
0
2
25
16
3
1
9
2
6
0
14
1
0
125
95
11

789
49

838
68
6
10
12
0
0
3
1
0

837
3
89
8
0

1

11

14,486
14,838
15,140
15,180


NA
NA
NA

35,256
35,256
45,194

21,124
21,124
31,062

10
155
0
0
0
0

72
0
0
1
2
11
4
2
14
1
18
0
11
1
0
137
NA
NA

620
29

649
57
7
20
9
0
1
3
2
0

63
0
66
34
0

586

5

NA
NA
NA
11,131


NA
NA
NA

35,475
35,475
35,475

22,635
22,635
22,635

0
0
123
0
109
0

48
2
0
4
30
42
8
10
3
0
10
0
17
0
0
174
96
77

518
109

627
72
5
1
8
0
1
2
11
0

627
7
76
17
0

0

12

19,700
20,025
20,025
20,733


NA
NA
NA

33,953
33,953
33,953

24,533
24,533
24,533

174
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

49
2
0
0
27
8
3
3
0
0
0
0
12
5
0
109
90
36

416
142

558
77
6
3
7
0
1
3
1
3

345
1
79
20
0

213

9

27,282
28,400
30,900
32,400


43,000
43,000
43,000

46,600
46,600
46,600

36,200
36,200
36,200

9
94
62
4
0
7

47
0
0
2
21
8
3
2
11
0
0
0
4
4
0
102
52
100

209
13

222
95
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
5

176
2
98
0
0

46

27

13,450
13,450
13,950
10,880


20,440
20,440
20,440

35,880
35,880
35,880

23,980
23,980
23,980

45
3
0
0
0
0

8
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
0
2
0
3
0
0
18
NA
NA

205
0

205
51
19
5
20
0
0
4
1
0

205
0
46
54
0

0

10

28,087
28,190
15,880
14,444


NA
NA
NA

31,846
31,846
31,846

20,376
20,376
20,376

45
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

20
0
0
0
0
6
2
0
4
1
0
0
2
0
0
35
100
93

41
0

41
100
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0

39
5
95
0
0

2

10

9,800
9,800
10,200
10,400


20,400
20,400
20,400

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

12
0
0
0
0
0

4
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
0
4
0
0
0
0
10


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus