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Lincoln 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.
 
Huntington Junior College
West Virginia Junior College-Charleston  
Strayer University-West Virginia  
Mountwest Community and Technical College  
Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College  
BridgeValley Community & Technical College  
University of Charleston  
West Virginia State University  
Marshall 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
96
28

8,362
2,665

11,027
76
5
2
3
0
0
3
10
1

8,235
12
77
11
0

2,792

15

8,512
8,552
8,604
8,942


25,294
25,294
36,646

24,516
24,516
35,868

16,142
16,142
27,494

127
1,431
687
27
206
0

896
11
28
33
56
159
103
96
185
2
123
0
118
62
0
1,872
96
7

1,363
2,095

3,458
68
7
1
2
0
0
3
16
2

3,322
52
40
8
0

136

12

8,623
8,437
8,647
9,049


25,617
25,617
31,191

24,641
24,641
30,215

12,681
12,681
18,255

0
278
69
0
0
0

119
0
0
3
0
39
10
3
31
2
8
0
32
7
1
255
65
24

1,669
1,089

2,758
63
10
2
9
0
0
5
5
7

2,087
0
47
53
0

671

15

32,200
31,350
31,900
32,842


48,734
48,734
48,734

49,272
49,272
49,272

37,372
37,372
37,372

145
577
201
0
77
0

154
0
0
3
42
31
6
8
42
1
48
2
17
0
0
354
NA
NA

1,055
738

1,793
90
6
1
2
0
1
0
2
0

1,793
2
54
44
0

0

11

5,142
5,284
5,132
5,282


NA
NA
NA

20,520
20,520
26,986

10,159
10,159
16,625

295
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

99
0
0
0
14
33
3
7
1
1
11
0
20
0
0
189
NA
NA

960
501

1,461
95
2
0
2
0
0
1
0
0

1,461
15
57
28
0

0

17

4,084
4,084
4,344
4,944


NA
NA
NA

22,174
22,174
24,790

14,674
14,674
17,290

331
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

66
0
0
4
0
34
4
12
14
0
7
0
20
5
0
166
NA
NA

709
750

1,459
79
4
0
1
0
0
4
10
1

1,459
18
51
30
0

0

13

4,464
4,692
4,818
4,818


NA
NA
NA

20,319
20,319
27,505

10,550
10,550
17,736

161
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

77
0
0
1
15
9
5
4
0
0
2
0
11
2
0
126
NA
NA

17
378

395
82
10
0
2
0
0
4
1
0

377
0
9
90
1

18

39

13,515
13,515
13,515
13,920


NA
NA
NA

25,158
25,158
25,158

15,720
15,720
15,720

6
15
5
0
0
0

3
0
0
0
3
3
1
0
0
0
0
2
0
0
0
12
NA
NA

317
0

317
87
9
0
1
0
0
3
0
0

317
0
43
56
0

0

18

14,335
14,427
14,529
14,544


NA
NA
NA

27,504
27,504
27,504

18,870
18,870
18,870

88
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

18
0
0
0
0
5
8
2
0
0
0
5
3
0
0
41
NA
NA

193
16

209
84
13
0
0
0
0
2
1
0

209
0
12
88
0

0

25

9,600
10,050
10,050
10,050


NA
NA
NA

18,522
18,522
18,522

12,240
12,240
12,240

31
NA
NA
NA
NA
NA

8
0
0
0
1
4
2
0
1
0
0
0
3
0
0
19


Sources: STI: PopStats and STI: Colossus