Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) within the ICUT network, including Jarvis Christian University, are fueling economic progress alongside educational equity. The 2024 ICUT report reveals that these HBCUs contributed $293 million to their regional economies.
This includes $160 million in direct spending and $119 million in indirect and induced spending, making HBCUs critical engines of job creation and economic advancement.
With $66 million in university purchases, $41 million in student spending, and $41 million in employee expenditures, these institutions are injecting significant resources into their local communities. Visitor spending totaled $4 million, while capital expenditures reached $8 million, reflecting campus improvements that generate both short-term and long-term benefits.
ICUT’s report shows HBCUs support 2,110 jobs in Texas, and their impact doesn’t stop at graduation. Of recent graduates, 72% stayed in Texas and 31% remained in their regions, resulting in an economic contribution of $15 million, with an additional $15 million in downstream effects.
These numbers confirm the longstanding truth: HBCUs are not just centers of learning—they are lifelines for their communities.
