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Summit 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.
 
Galen Health Institutes-Salt Lake City
Midwives College of Utah  
Eagle Gate College-Murray  
Arizona College of Nursing-Salt Lake City  
Fortis College-Salt Lake City  
Neumont College of Computer Science  
Westminster University  
Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences  
Western Wyoming Community College  
Nightingale College  
Ensign College  
Salt Lake Community College  
University of Utah  
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
87
28

29,283
5,977

35,260
61
1
6
13
0
0
5
4
9

26,827
2
86
12
1

8,433

18

8,615
8,893
9,315
9,315


30,613
30,613
51,135

36,415
36,415
56,937

18,215
18,215
38,737

0
5,556
2,453
391
472
0

2,586
1,116
1,138
119
409
1,761
1,423
1,379
671
1,282
1,032
76
1,855
289
101
15,237
NA
NA

6,069
20,695

26,764
62
2
4
20
1
1
4
4
1

26,764
32
43
24
1

0

17

3,989
4,086
4,257
4,257


NA
NA
NA

24,635
24,635
34,079

9,121
9,121
18,565

2,938
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

684
0
0
15
90
144
103
118
287
8
113
3
284
65
4
1,918
NA
NA

1,565
4,408

5,973
11
0
0
2
0
0
1
72
13

5,973
0
35
64
0

0

20

3,550
3,656
3,766
3,888


NA
NA
NA

15,660
15,660
15,660

8,732
8,732
8,732

290
40
0
0
0
0

91
0
0
2
15
43
4
4
0
3
0
2
4
0
0
168
NA
NA

2,807
1,458

4,265
28
17
18
21
2
1
0
12
0

4,244
0
12
88
0

21

12

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

4
534
1
0
0
0

198
0
0
1
142
113
14
19
19
19
0
0
44
0
0
569
NA
NA

765
1,699

2,464
79
0
1
15
0
1
4
0
1

2,464
39
40
21
0

0

12

3,456
3,600
3,600
4,250


16,860
16,860
23,160

19,570
19,570
25,870

8,150
8,150
14,450

252
17
0
0
0
0

121
0
0
5
14
27
3
19
21
1
30
2
33
7
4
287
89
99

1,257
680

1,937
69
2
4
14
1
1
1
8
0

1,892
0
41
59
0

45

25

19,596
19,596
22,603
20,780


NA
NA
NA

33,373
33,373
33,373

25,617
25,617
25,617

609
370
47
0
0
0

144
0
0
0
54
18
28
0
0
0
0
15
19
0
0
278
69
13

1,108
106

1,214
68
2
3
13
2
0
4
3
5

895
0
89
10
0

319

8

37,960
38,680
40,352
41,416


57,867
57,867
57,867

61,707
61,707
61,707

46,600
46,600
46,600

0
327
130
0
6
0

170
0
0
4
19
59
22
13
39
7
17
6
21
8
0
385
89
18

486
44

530
51
8
4
16
1
2
4
15
0

530
0
95
5
0

0

25

25,440
25,995
26,505
27,375


47,619
47,619
47,619

42,786
42,786
42,786

32,895
32,895
32,895

10
104
0
0
0
0

16
0
0
0
20
8
6
5
0
0
1
0
3
0
0
59
NA
NA

304
67

371
45
4
8
23
12
1
6
2
0

371
0
39
61
0

0

16

15,524
14,240
16,255
13,112


NA
NA
NA

36,871
36,871
36,871

18,871
18,871
18,871

80
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

21
0
0
1
0
8
3
0
2
1
0
0
3
0
0
39
100
33

231
92

323
63
4
4
20
3
1
4
0
0

323
0
37
63
0

0

20

20,170
20,826
21,946
22,586


NA
NA
NA

44,933
44,933
44,933

29,623
29,623
29,623

0
13
0
0
0
0

19
0
0
0
3
7
0
1
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
34
NA
NA

313
0

313
47
6
6
17
3
2
2
18
0

263
0
33
67
0

50

22

14,900
17,112
17,112
16,491


NA
NA
NA

37,431
37,431
37,431

21,546
21,546
21,546

0
58
12
0
0
0

14
0
0
1
4
4
0
0
0
0
0
0
6
0
0
29
60
67

256
2

258
58
17
1
10
0
2
4
7
0

253
0
8
92
0

5

4

7,635
7,719
7,919
8,256


NA
NA
NA

55,776
55,776
55,776

23,986
23,986
23,986

2
24
1
0
0
0

11
0
0
0
0
8
2
1
1
0
0
0
1
0
0
24
NA
NA

39
24

63
73
6
2
0
2
3
0
14
0

63
0
37
63
0

0

12

NA
NA
NA
15,860


NA
NA
NA

37,969
37,969
37,969

22,309
22,309
22,309

0
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
5


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus