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Hancock 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.
 
Allegheny Wesleyan College
East Ohio College  
Penn Commercial Business/Technical School  
Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry  
Pennsylvania State University-Penn State Beaver  
Bethany College  
Kent State University at East Liverpool  
Washington & Jefferson College  
Geneva College  
Kent State University at Salem  
Community College of Beaver County  
Pennsylvania Western University  
Eastern Gateway Community College  
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

5,021
10,472

15,493
55
20
2
15
0
1
6
1
0

15,493
12
18
69
1

0

22

4,020
4,230
4,230
4,205


NA
NA
NA

9,305
9,485
11,171

7,005
7,185
8,871

7,599
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

448
0
25
3
82
6
10
12
15
0
4
3
37
4
0
649
94
28

8,141
3,164

11,305
74
8
1
4
0
0
3
9
1

8,336
2
83
15
0

2,969

17

NA
10,958
10,958
11,388


29,308
29,308
33,926

26,878
26,878
31,496

16,108
16,108
20,726

211
2,055
1,568
0
53
0

532
0
0
31
22
76
226
37
85
44
145
0
150
70
0
1,418
NA
NA

534
1,139

1,673
81
6
1
3
0
1
4
3
0

1,673
32
51
17
0

0

17

6,720
6,810
7,020
7,290


NA
NA
NA

18,927
25,317
31,527

10,269
16,659
22,869

262
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

56
0
0
1
5
25
2
7
15
0
10
0
15
0
1
137
NA
NA

271
1,192

1,463
83
6
1
4
0
0
3
3
0

1,463
21
58
21
0

0

24

6,229
6,758
7,058
7,272


NA
NA
NA

26,410
26,410
35,882

13,452
13,452
22,924

101
33
0
0
0
0

43
0
0
0
8
2
5
2
2
0
2
0
3
2
0
69
NA
NA

1,038
220

1,258
80
5
1
4
0
0
3
4
3

1,149
13
81
6
0

109

12

29,040
29,970
30,990
33,610


47,390
47,390
47,390

40,410
40,410
40,410

36,410
36,410
36,410

1
282
52
0
0
0

104
0
0
4
24
39
13
9
30
2
19
0
15
11
0
270
82
12

1,157
5

1,162
76
7
2
6
0
0
7
0
2

1,162
0
99
1
0

0

10

50,192
50,192
50,192
28,185


44,295
44,295
44,295

44,295
44,295
44,295

32,385
32,385
32,385

0
219
1
0
0
0

117
0
0
7
21
20
28
13
36
5
42
1
26
10
0
326
NA
NA

20
1,036

1,056
81
5
1
4
0
0
5
3
1

1,056
31
48
21
0

0

31

6,229
6,758
7,058
7,272


NA
NA
NA

26,410
26,410
35,882

13,452
13,452
22,924

60
0
0
0
0
0

21
0
0
0
1
4
0
2
0
0
1
0
5
1
0
35
60
16

663
8

671
48
18
1
4
0
0
4
17
8

645
1
98
1
0

26

12

30,840
31,600
33,495
34,816


51,168
51,168
51,168

48,721
48,721
48,721

38,232
38,232
38,232

0
102
9
0
0
0

54
0
0
2
14
7
5
5
32
2
18
2
9
9
0
159
92
11

474
30

504
69
8
5
7
0
0
5
2
3

504
3
92
5
0

0

11

13,720
13,936
14,218
14,380


33,860
33,860
43,352

34,456
34,456
43,948

20,324
20,324
29,816

0
83
0
0
0
0

44
0
0
2
1
9
5
4
10
1
28
0
8
2
0
114
NA
NA

36
191

227
88
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
12

0
NA
NA
NA
NA

227

NA

NA
NA
NA
NA


NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

NA
NA
NA

0
0
26
0
0
2

34
0
0
3
7
4
5
2
1
0
3
0
3
2
0
64
73
64

223
0

223
78
14
2
0
0
1
4
1
0

223
0
57
43
0

0

5

12,075
12,175
12,175
13,654


NA
NA
NA

28,304
28,304
28,304

21,104
21,104
21,104

32
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

26
0
0
0
4
3
3
1
1
0
1
2
3
0
0
44
NA
NA

149
0

149
81
13
1
2
1
0
2
1
0

149
1
39
60
0

0

10

14,497
13,964
13,778
14,370


NA
NA
NA

25,762
25,762
25,762

18,150
18,150
18,150

58
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

15
0
0
0
0
2
3
0
0
0
0
2
2
0
0
24
NA
NA

43
27

70
93
0
0
0
0
7
0
0
0

70
29
67
4
0

0

6

6,800
6,800
6,800
6,800


14,612
14,612
14,612

15,270
15,270
15,270

11,220
11,220
11,220

0
7
0
0
0
0

10
0
0
2
0
4
1
0
0
0
1
0
2
2
0
22


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus