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.
|
The College of Health Care Professions-Southwest Houston |
Pima Medical Institute-Houston |
|
South Texas College of Law Houston |
|
Baylor College of Medicine |
|
Chamberlain University-Texas |
|
The College of Health Care Professions-Northwest |
|
University of St Thomas |
|
Houston Christian University |
|
The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston |
|
Lee College |
|
University of Houston-Clear Lake |
|
Texas Southern University |
|
Rice University |
|
Prairie View A & M University |
|
University of Houston-Downtown |
|
Sam Houston State University |
|
San Jacinto Community College |
|
University of Houston |
|
Houston Community College |
|
Lone Star College System |
|
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
19,428
51,563
70,991
26
13
8
42
0
0
4
4
4
70,991
33
48
19
0
0
22
2,805
2,700
2,880
3,090
NA
NA
NA
23,236
27,076
28,846
10,636
14,476
16,246
8,614
176
0
0
0
0
1,830
0
0
39
77
320
513
251
266
0
252
0
617
54
0
4,219 |
NA
NA
15,257
34,492
49,749
11
25
10
39
0
0
2
4
8
49,749
22
45
33
1
0
20
2,040
2,040
2,040
2,040
NA
NA
NA
17,920
20,224
21,340
10,862
13,166
14,282
5,238
0
0
0
0
0
1,427
0
0
41
431
213
190
96
307
3
152
34
357
39
1
3,291 |
70
27
33,850
12,826
46,676
19
11
22
34
0
0
3
1
10
37,946
7
82
12
0
8,730
21
9,457
9,699
9,699
9,711
26,734
26,734
39,214
28,102
28,102
40,582
17,080
17,080
29,560
0
8,022
2,285
375
485
0
1,733
113
0
64
29
1,143
861
579
151
90
346
3
265
198
4
5,579 |
NA
NA
10,641
20,853
31,494
16
8
5
63
0
0
2
3
2
31,494
23
58
20
0
0
25
2,430
1,872
2,340
1,992
NA
NA
NA
26,723
28,187
30,083
7,752
9,216
11,112
4,922
33
0
0
0
0
769
0
0
16
69
141
95
88
111
2
63
0
320
45
0
1,719 |
85
24
15,644
5,759
21,403
46
17
3
28
0
1
3
1
1
18,179
1
85
14
0
3,224
20
8,736
8,960
8,960
9,228
26,194
26,194
35,986
26,194
26,194
35,986
14,474
14,474
24,266
0
4,154
1,011
64
0
0
913
0
17
11
64
156
280
146
86
32
166
0
426
39
0
2,336 |
91
24
6,396
7,709
14,105
11
18
8
57
0
0
3
1
2
12,880
0
58
42
0
1,225
18
7,222
7,708
7,708
7,708
NA
NA
NA
26,596
26,596
36,676
16,714
16,714
26,794
0
2,824
581
0
0
0
492
0
2
28
2
45
254
113
67
0
48
0
92
27
0
1,170 |
75
32
8,476
1,041
9,517
1
84
1
7
0
0
3
1
2
8,527
1
92
7
0
990
16
11,099
11,299
11,299
11,299
27,798
27,798
43,373
26,353
26,353
41,928
16,599
16,599
32,174
0
1,425
295
26
0
0
475
9
2
24
79
160
74
88
102
9
36
1
161
5
7
1,232 |
8
46
7,972
584
8,556
26
7
21
13
0
0
4
2
26
4,574
1
99
0
0
3,982
6
51,107
52,895
54,960
58,128
78,278
78,278
78,278
78,278
78,278
78,278
62,378
62,378
62,378
0
1,052
1,422
257
0
0
832
479
0
64
286
371
570
240
266
14
335
0
180
64
42
3,743 |
93
23
7,186
1,283
8,469
2
81
2
9
0
0
3
1
2
6,619
2
84
14
0
1,850
16
9,173
9,173
9,173
9,173
27,769
27,769
40,369
32,175
32,175
44,775
16,855
16,855
29,455
0
908
265
28
209
0
465
5
0
5
31
126
7
7
64
0
125
0
219
6
3
1,063 |
75
25
4,063
4,148
8,211
30
7
8
44
0
0
3
1
7
6,108
0
61
39
0
2,103
19
7,504
7,698
7,698
7,746
24,376
24,376
37,960
27,086
27,086
40,670
13,362
13,362
26,946
0
1,549
891
35
0
0
360
8
0
10
10
112
135
43
40
2
64
1
122
26
3
936 |
NA
NA
1,305
6,838
8,143
30
14
2
47
0
0
2
4
0
8,143
35
36
28
1
0
30
2,166
2,166
2,166
2,166
NA
NA
NA
14,910
16,626
17,046
8,468
10,184
10,604
1,142
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
251
0
0
7
63
44
12
24
50
0
51
0
65
14
0
581 |
NA
NA
3,298
1,750
5,048
30
11
20
18
0
0
2
4
14
460
0
62
38
0
4,588
5
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
375
752
212
362
0
2,157
0
0
0
83
1,192
640
1,368
438
3,471
774
0
1,734
98
26
11,981 |
85
9
2,415
1,774
4,189
20
27
5
33
0
0
3
7
5
2,787
2
84
14
0
1,402
18
34,500
35,500
36,750
38,100
55,118
55,118
55,118
56,386
56,386
56,386
45,570
45,570
45,570
0
520
406
19
0
0
168
0
0
4
29
49
30
5
58
2
24
2
64
4
4
443 |
93
45
2,608
1,205
3,813
23
11
9
48
0
0
2
2
5
2,969
5
73
22
0
844
15
31,560
31,560
32,484
33,660
48,904
48,904
48,904
50,413
50,413
50,413
39,516
39,516
39,516
44
606
393
31
5
0
197
0
0
11
2
77
24
4
57
0
35
3
52
15
0
477 |
NA
NA
3,794
0
3,794
12
29
1
34
0
1
2
21
0
3,794
0
40
60
0
0
25
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
289
57
0
0
0
0
110
0
0
0
85
17
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
218 |
96
75
623
1,793
2,416
13
41
15
26
0
1
2
2
0
2,416
0
36
63
0
0
10
19,469
19,469
19,629
19,686
NA
NA
NA
42,634
42,634
42,634
28,094
28,094
28,094
0
520
0
0
0
0
97
0
0
1
60
6
7
2
0
0
0
0
3
0
0
176 |
NA
NA
1,683
16
1,699
40
7
23
15
0
1
1
1
14
0
NA
NA
NA
NA
1,699
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
0
77
104
170
0
3,912
1,721
0
3
39
306
577
531
147
640
269
9
904
37
33
9,128 |
NA
NA
822
214
1,036
48
7
8
29
0
0
2
5
1
0
NA
NA
NA
NA
1,036
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
0
0
0
283
0
86
0
10
7
1
32
16
8
15
0
1
0
32
0
0
208 |
NA
NA
1,019
0
1,019
12
16
9
54
0
1
7
0
0
1,019
0
61
39
0
0
25
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
191
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
45
0
0
0
19
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
9
0
0
76 |
NA
NA
666
0
666
5
33
5
53
0
1
2
2
0
666
0
62
38
0
0
22
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
35
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
30
0
0
0
7
6
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
45 |
Page 1 of 3
Interactive College of Technology |
Denver College of Nursing-Houston |
|
Interactive College of Technology |
|
American College of Acupuncture and Oriental Med |
|
MediaTech Institute-Houston |
|
American InterContinental University-Houston |
|
Remington College-North Houston Campus |
|
Texas Health School |
|
Vet Tech Institute of Houston |
|
Center for Advanced Legal Studies |
|
Florida Career College-Houston |
|
Texas Chiropractic College Foundation Inc |
|
Culinary Institute Inc |
|
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center |
|
Fortis College |
|
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service |
|
College of Biblical Studies-Houston |
|
College of Health Care Professions |
|
Galen Health Institutes-Houston |
|
Grace School of Theology |
|
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
32
561
593
14
7
0
3
0
0
0
76
0
220
0
16
82
3
373
12
6,480
6,480
6,760
6,760
NA
NA
NA
35,173
35,173
35,173
11,881
11,881
11,881
2
12
67
0
0
3
18
0
0
1
5
4
6
2
2
0
0
0
1
0
0
39 |
NA
NA
278
265
543
12
49
4
10
0
1
1
23
0
543
0
14
86
0
0
12
NA
NA
66,120
16,400
NA
NA
NA
37,109
37,109
37,109
21,449
21,449
21,449
0
0
0
0
0
0
11
0
0
0
6
6
0
1
0
0
1
0
13
0
0
38 |
NA
NA
529
0
529
3
42
0
50
0
0
2
2
0
529
0
63
37
0
0
33
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
24
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
16
0
0
0
9
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
30 |
NA
NA
109
373
482
18
38
6
27
0
0
1
1
9
482
9
22
67
2
0
12
6,801
6,801
7,475
7,475
12,950
12,950
14,750
21,426
21,426
23,226
10,698
10,698
12,498
9
26
0
0
0
0
20
0
0
3
5
16
4
1
11
0
1
0
7
1
0
69 |
NA
NA
355
27
382
39
31
1
29
0
0
0
0
0
382
0
27
73
0
0
27
13,363
13,363
15,313
15,313
NA
NA
NA
54,993
54,993
54,993
21,685
21,685
21,685
147
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
8
0
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
1
0
0
2
0
0
14 |
NA
NA
357
0
357
3
63
1
28
0
0
3
1
0
357
0
52
48
0
0
26
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
14
0
0
0
0
5
2
0
6
0
1
0
1
0
0
29 |
NA
NA
306
49
355
23
7
25
35
0
0
4
1
5
322
0
49
51
0
33
9
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
164
17
0
0
0
23
1
0
0
0
3
3
0
0
0
15
0
5
0
0
50 |
NA
NA
241
93
334
25
32
3
39
0
1
1
0
0
334
0
59
40
0
0
17
17,782
17,381
17,279
18,539
NA
NA
NA
34,998
34,998
34,998
28,682
28,682
28,682
93
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
11
0
0
1
1
12
3
0
0
0
8
5
3
0
0
44 |
NA
NA
259
8
267
55
13
7
6
1
1
4
12
2
0
NA
NA
NA
NA
267
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
0
0
0
66
0
24
0
0
2
16
10
3
1
2
0
3
3
11
0
0
75 |
NA
NA
264
0
264
3
19
0
11
0
1
1
66
0
264
0
37
62
1
0
9
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
23
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2
0
0
0
0
4
1
0
0
0
0
0
28
0
0
35 |
NA
NA
243
0
243
28
41
2
28
0
0
0
0
0
243
0
19
80
0
0
26
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
41
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
6
0
0
0
0
6
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
15 |
83
53
190
0
190
28
16
1
47
1
0
4
2
0
190
1
77
22
0
0
16
15,020
15,100
15,240
16,024
NA
NA
NA
24,021
24,021
24,021
19,021
19,021
19,021
134
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
12
0
0
0
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
22 |
NA
NA
172
14
186
2
88
2
7
0
0
1
0
0
186
0
24
76
0
0
11
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
8
0
0
0
1
1
1
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
0
16 |
NA
NA
163
0
163
4
65
1
30
0
0
0
0
0
163
0
55
45
0
0
24
18,651
18,701
19,518
20,001
NA
NA
NA
34,108
34,108
34,108
25,015
25,015
25,015
12
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
6
0
0
0
0
6
1
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
17 |
NA
NA
118
45
163
10
40
6
1
0
1
1
41
0
124
0
20
80
0
39
15
14,489
14,910
14,725
14,842
NA
NA
NA
26,087
26,087
26,087
17,827
17,827
17,827
11
24
28
0
0
0
9
0
0
1
1
1
2
1
0
0
2
6
0
0
0
23 |
NA
NA
96
0
96
10
71
0
16
0
1
0
2
0
96
0
46
53
1
0
7
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
23
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
5
0
0
0
0
1
0
0
3
0
0
0
6
0
0
15 |
NA
NA
39
34
73
22
14
37
14
1
0
4
1
7
0
NA
NA
NA
NA
73
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
0
17
0
12
0
8
0
1
0
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
15 |
NA
NA
66
5
71
27
54
8
11
0
0
0
0
0
71
0
31
66
3
0
12
10,010
10,250
10,730
10,970
NA
NA
NA
24,170
24,170
24,170
16,170
16,170
16,170
3
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
12 |
NA
NA
70
0
70
16
51
16
14
1
0
0
1
0
70
0
26
74
0
0
9
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
0
0
0
0
0
0
8
0
0
0
0
3
2
0
2
0
0
0
3
0
0
18 |
NA
NA
62
0
62
27
21
2
50
0
0
0
0
0
62
0
34
66
0
0
10
9,890
10,250
10,610
10,970
NA
NA
NA
24,170
24,170
24,170
16,170
16,170
16,170
1
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
2
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
4
0
0
10 |
Page 2 of 3
Interactive College of Technology |
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
48
0
48
6
40
8
46
0
0
0
0
0
48
0
19
81
0
0
10
9,890
10,250
10,610
10,970
NA
NA
NA
24,150
24,150
24,150
16,150
16,150
16,150
2
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
1
3
0
0
7 |
Page 3 of 3
Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus
|