Economic Impact: $88 million
Based on economic multipliers used by the Pennsylvania Economy League and recommended by the Association of Independent Colleges and Universities of Pennsylvania, Susquehanna University's economic impact on the region exceeded $88 million for the year ended June 30, 2003. A national liberal arts college enrolling more than 1,800 students, Susquehanna also contributes significantly to the educational and cultural resources of the Central Susquehanna Valley.
The University as Employer
With a payroll of about 450, the university is among the largest employers in the Central Susquehanna Valley.
| Total Salaries and Wages |
$15,760,283 |
| Total Benefits |
$5,032,401 |
| Local Wage Taxes Paid |
$158,069 |
| State Income Taxes Paid |
$473,597 |
| Federal Income Taxes Paid |
$1,939,753 |
| Social Security Taxes Paid |
$2,401,955 |
Investment in the Region
| Student Body Spending (est.) |
$2,284,998 |
| Local Checking Accounts |
$2,633,575 |
| Long-term Investments |
$160,941 |
| Construction Spending |
$9,925,625 |
| (5-year average) |
Direct Expenditures
The university's total annual budget exceeded $40.4 million. Spending for contracted services, supplies and general administration, occupancy and other costs, and capital expenditures for the year totaled $24.3 million, the majority of which was spent in the region.
Visitor Spending
More than 79,000 visitors - alumni, parents, friends, prospective students, spectators and participants in educational, cultural and athletic events - traveled to campus during the year, and spent an estimated $3.1 million in the region.
Direct Services
Susquehanna University's Public Safety Office has a long-standing mutual aid agreement to provide 24-hour assistance to the Selinsgrove Borough Police Department when requested. The university also shares maintenance equipment with the borough on an as-needed basis.
Volunteer Services
About 60 percent of the student body, or 1,100 students, volunteered 48,322 hours of service. According to calculations used by the Independent Sector, an organization supporting the non-profit and philanthropic community, these community service contributions equaled $775,568. Susquehanna's Center for Service Learning and Volunteer Programs coordinates assistance to more than 30 charitable and civic organizations in the region. Susquehanna also donated in-kind services and hosted the local Relay for Life, which netted more than $300,000 for the American Cancer Society and distinguished the Selinsgrove Relay for Life as the second highest earner per capita in the United States for areas with 35,000 - 39,000 people..
Continuing Education Programs
Susquehanna University's Office of Continuing Education sponsors a wide variety of computer training, as well as credit and non-credit classes to serve employers and individuals. The office's evening program allows area residents to earn associate degrees for professional and occupational advancement. Campus rental facilities range from computer labs and video studios with downlink capabilities to meeting and banquet facilities.
Assistance to Area Businesses
The Sigmund Weis School of Business regularly sponsors programs and provides faculty-directed student consulting services to small businesses in the area.
Susquehanna Children’s Center
The university provides the building site for the Susquehanna Children's Center, a community childcare facility independently operated by Snyder, Union, Mifflin Child Development Inc.
Service to Area Schools
Outreach programs to schools in the region range from Internet links to classroom program assistance by students and faculty from the university's Department of Education and other departments. During the 2002-2003 academic year, Susquehanna's Science in Motion program regularly sent teachers and vans outfitted with the latest equipment to area high schools to assist with science instruction.
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Contact: Victoria Kidd
570-372-4119
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