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Bristol 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.
 
College Unbound
Roger Williams University School of Law  
Wheaton College (Massachusetts)  
New England Institute of Technology  
Rhode Island School of Design  
Stonehill College  
Johnson & Wales University-Online  
Salve Regina University  
Bryant University  
Roger Williams University  
Johnson & Wales University-Providence  
Providence College  
Rhode Island College  
Bristol Community College  
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth  
Brown 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
5
63

10,832
684

11,516
32
8
17
11
0
0
6
5
20

7,741
3
95
2
0

3,775

6

60,696
62,304
65,146
68,230


87,648
87,648
87,648

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
1,682
986
246
135
0

1,058
505
0
133
225
712
475
655
176
128
510
15
540
109
19
5,260
92
15

5,842
1,917

7,759
52
14
3
11
0
0
4
6
9

5,602
3
83
13
0

2,157

15

14,408
14,408
14,854
15,208


36,320
36,320
52,862

32,190
32,190
48,732

20,997
20,997
37,539

0
1,134
438
22
120
0

447
5
0
13
22
167
46
81
62
9
90
0
147
24
17
1,130
NA
NA

2,070
4,026

6,096
56
12
2
15
0
0
5
9
0

6,096
10
49
41
0

0

15

5,136
5,208
5,280
5,412


NA
NA
NA

14,262
14,262
19,206

10,262
10,262
15,206

770
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

227
0
17
10
83
60
20
25
13
1
20
0
53
8
0
537
81
20

4,307
1,460

5,767
50
11
3
25
0
1
2
7
0

4,785
1
77
22
0

982

14

10,260
10,702
10,966
10,986


27,345
27,345
42,878

29,074
29,074
44,607

14,386
14,386
29,919

0
1,048
327
7
4
0

380
0
0
11
73
69
30
29
44
10
113
0
63
15
0
837
49
20

4,295
340

4,635
79
3
1
8
0
0
3
3
2

4,191
1
97
2
0

444

11

54,388
55,988
57,928
60,848


80,640
80,640
80,640

80,028
80,028
80,028

70,068
70,068
70,068

6
990
254
0
0
0

400
0
0
19
48
112
109
45
105
17
49
0
102
13
7
1,026
84
14

4,065
307

4,372
59
11
4
14
0
0
2
5
4

3,952
3
93
4
0

420

13

34,736
36,324
38,492
40,408


62,142
62,142
62,142

54,566
54,566
54,566

43,366
43,366
43,366

242
833
150
16
14
0

328
0
0
8
174
115
42
78
61
7
83
5
55
33
21
1,010
88
14

3,865
479

4,344
72
3
2
11
0
0
3
7
1

4,050
2
90
8
0

294

12

38,274
39,594
40,962
42,666


63,606
63,606
63,606

61,766
61,766
61,766

46,670
46,670
46,670

55
922
143
0
0
0

287
0
0
9
55
154
24
37
29
7
198
0
83
25
9
917
66
15

3,432
160

3,592
74
4
4
8
0
0
3
1
6

3,240
1
99
0
0

352

13

46,863
47,782
49,329
51,169


71,057
71,057
71,057

66,069
66,069
66,069

56,069
56,069
56,069

0
782
219
0
0
0

204
1
0
12
88
52
51
26
93
4
101
1
64
12
7
716
70
14

2,252
584

2,836
77
2
1
9
0
0
3
4
3

2,117
0
97
3
0

719

12

42,920
44,200
46,000
47,930


70,916
70,916
70,916

66,586
66,586
66,586

53,616
53,616
53,616

0
551
187
7
1
0

190
0
0
9
35
61
18
23
57
5
28
0
43
19
3
491
54
64

605
1,992

2,597
48
23
3
17
0
1
0
7
1

1,990
0
30
70
0

607

11

13,365
13,365
13,365
13,365


NA
NA
NA

27,523
27,523
27,523

16,323
16,323
16,323

6
302
297
8
0
0

108
0
0
0
40
7
2
1
2
0
0
13
1
0
0
174
73
11

2,489
95

2,584
76
5
2
7
0
0
3
3
2

2,515
3
97
1
0

69

12

46,642
47,808
52,000
54,500


74,005
74,005
74,005

69,647
69,647
69,647

58,222
58,222
58,222

0
541
25
0
0
0

213
0
0
12
2
119
9
32
56
4
85
0
48
12
0
592
14
51

2,540
0

2,540
23
4
21
9
0
0
4
1
37

2,092
1
97
2
0

448

8

54,890
56,290
57,505
59,760


81,810
81,810
81,810

81,810
81,810
81,810

66,960
66,960
66,960

0
533
274
0
0
0

306
0
0
34
0
170
89
33
38
4
154
11
111
53
1
1,004
73
27

1,692
158

1,850
55
10
4
14
0
0
3
13
0

1,712
1
67
32
0

138

12

31,545
32,807
33,900
35,625


56,931
56,931
56,931

48,297
48,297
48,297

40,691
40,691
40,691

533
213
61
0
2
0

147
0
0
4
62
20
10
14
28
0
4
0
48
0
0
337
71
16

1,746
32

1,778
70
6
4
7
0
0
4
5
4

1,778
2
97
1
0

0

12

56,366
58,180
60,230
62,080


79,510
79,510
79,510

79,510
79,510
79,510

71,310
71,310
71,310

0
353
0
0
0
0

151
0
0
9
6
61
32
18
71
3
45
0
37
13
6
452
NA
NA

514
3

517
70
6
3
14
0
0
2
3
1

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

517

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
1
0
171
0

41
0
0
5
5
17
0
0
4
0
0
0
13
0
0
85
NA
NA

260
141

401
16
34
1
36
0
1
5
7
0

401
0
11
89
0

0

7

10,112
10,128
9,984
10,488


NA
NA
NA

27,138
27,138
27,138

10,938
10,938
10,938

0
85
0
0
0
0

41
0
0
0
13
14
2
3
2
0
0
0
12
0
0
87


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus