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Union 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.
 
St Luke's College
Briar Cliff University  
Northwestern College  
Northwest Iowa Community College  
Dordt University  
Morningside University  
Western Iowa Tech Community College  
University of South Dakota  
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
99
26

6,145
3,723

9,868
78
3
1
4
0
2
3
2
6

7,095
18
75
7
0

2,773

14

9,332
9,432
9,432
9,432


24,639
24,639
28,149

27,564
27,564
31,074

15,579
15,579
19,089

24
1,166
530
78
184
0

488
3
0
14
38
215
99
94
116
8
109
0
186
22
3
1,395
NA
NA

1,707
3,364

5,071
59
5
2
20
0
1
3
4
6

5,071
41
39
20
0

0

13

4,488
4,802
4,922
5,042


17,468
17,468
17,612

17,468
17,468
17,612

11,177
11,177
11,321

435
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

166
0
0
1
107
58
15
13
10
0
13
0
29
0
0
412
71
17

1,191
967

2,158
74
3
1
6
0
1
2
8
5

1,177
0
94
5
0

981

12

33,970
35,270
36,610
38,190


53,670
53,670
53,670

54,804
54,804
54,804

42,466
42,466
42,466

0
248
296
0
0
5

120
0
0
1
8
30
6
6
52
3
25
0
38
5
0
294
71
41

1,552
377

1,929
79
1
1
3
0
0
2
4
10

1,695
1
97
1
0

234

14

32,820
34,170
34,600
35,960


51,900
51,900
51,900

52,960
52,960
52,960

41,460
41,460
41,460

30
314
93
0
0
0

121
0
0
2
6
31
10
9
50
1
13
2
28
5
2
280
NA
NA

628
1,164

1,792
80
4
1
10
0
1
1
3
0

1,792
39
46
15
0

0

16

6,390
6,540
6,870
7,110


22,718
22,718
23,018

25,578
25,578
25,878

13,402
13,402
13,702

208
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

58
0
6
1
26
16
3
4
2
0
13
3
14
3
1
150
87
28

1,144
521

1,665
74
1
1
5
0
0
1
15
3

1,146
1
89
9
0

519

14

32,920
33,590
34,250
35,300


50,300
50,300
50,300

50,300
50,300
50,300

39,600
39,600
39,600

0
244
152
0
0
0

120
0
0
3
15
55
3
6
34
4
21
0
18
5
1
285
NA
NA

682
258

940
66
6
1
13
0
1
4
0
8

737
14
75
11
0

203

12

33,308
33,998
34,498
35,534


51,842
51,842
51,842

51,528
51,528
51,528

46,156
46,156
46,156

0
109
34
0
30
0

70
0
0
3
2
37
3
4
47
0
16
1
7
7
1
198
44
88

84
112

196
66
7
1
17
1
3
5
1
0

196
0
57
43
0

0

6

20,940
20,940
20,940
20,940


NA
NA
NA

33,803
33,803
33,803

26,108
26,108
26,108

49
23
0
0
0
0

19
0
0
1
6
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
33


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus