The impact of colleges and universities on local business 2020:

University of Nebraska


Colleges and universities are everywhere. Big cities, small towns, in every corner of the United States, there’s bound to be a degree-offering institution nearby. And, subsequently, a whole lot of students nearby as well.

There are an estimated 18 to 20 million students enrolled in public and private colleges in America today. And in many communities, those students make up a huge portion of the local economy.

In this groundbreaking study, we analyzed data at local businesses in Lincoln to see what kind of impact major events during the school year at the University of Nebraska has on local businesses.

NOTE: You can view other industries by selecting them from the dropdown at the top of each section in this report

The average year at local businesses in Lincoln

Select an industry:

Before we examine major school year events like spring break and the college football season, let’s take a look at the year as a whole.

Annual sales at restaurants in Lincoln from week-to-week.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

9/28/19

Football

4/13/19

10/5/19

Football

2/22/19

10/26/19

Football

Saturday Saturday Saturday Friday Saturday

Above are the top five days of the year for Lincoln restaurants. This means that on these days, more total dollars were spent at restaurants in Lincoln than on any other day of the year.

Before we examine major school year events like spring break and the college football season, let’s take a look at the year as a whole.

Annual sales at lodging places in Lincoln from week-to-week.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

9/29/19

10/6/19

9/1/19

Back to School

Labor Day Weekend

10/27/19

5/5/19

Finals Week

Cinco de Mayo

Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday Sunday

Above are the top five days of the year for Lincoln lodging places. This means that on these days, more total dollars were spent at lodging places in Lincoln than on any other day of the year.

Before we examine major school year events like spring break and the college football season, let’s take a look at the year as a whole.

Annual sales at retail shops in Lincoln from week-to-week.

#1 #2 #3 #4 #5

3/27/19

10/28/19

5/2/19

Finals Week

8/28/19

Back to School

4/17/19

Wednesday Monday Thursday Wednesday Wednesday

Above are the top five days of the year for Lincoln retail shops. This means that on these days, more total dollars were spent at retail shops in Lincoln than on any other day of the year.

Spring Break

Select an industry:

As the weather warms up and students get to take the week off, how are local restaurants around the University of Nebraska impacted by spring break?

Do enough students leave town to see sales dip? Or do sales go up with an influx of vacationing students? We crunched the numbers to find out:

Avg. revenue: spring break Avg. transactions: spring break Avg. ticket price: spring break
+0%
vs avg day
-1%
vs avg day
+2%
vs avg day
+8%
vs avg day during March
-3%
vs avg day during March
+12%
vs avg day during March

During the week of spring break, restaurants in and around Lincoln earned 1% more than an average day throughout the year, and 8% more than on an average day during the month of march.

 

Spring break was the number 14 week of the year for Lincoln restaurants. Examine the chart above for a closer look at how much revenue went up or down throughout the week of spring break.

As the weather warms up and students get to take the week off, how are local lodging places around the University of Nebraska impacted by spring break?

Do enough students leave town to see sales dip? Or do sales go up with an influx of vacationing students? We crunched the numbers to find out:

Avg. revenue: spring break Avg. transactions: spring break Avg. ticket price: spring break
-28%
vs avg day
-23%
vs avg day
-6%
vs avg day
+101%
vs avg day during March
+97%
vs avg day during March
+2%
vs avg day during March

During the week of spring break, lodging places in and around Lincoln earned 28% less than an average day throughout the year, and 102% more than on an average day during the month of march.

 

As the weather warms up and students get to take the week off, how are local retail shops around the University of Nebraska impacted by spring break?

Do enough students leave town to see sales dip? Or do sales go up with an influx of vacationing students? We crunched the numbers to find out:

Avg. revenue: spring break Avg. transactions: spring break Avg. ticket price: spring break
-15%
vs avg day
+0%
vs avg day
-15%
vs avg day
-6%
vs avg day during March
+3%
vs avg day during March
-9%
vs avg day during March

During the week of spring break, retail shops in and around Lincoln earned 16% less than an average day throughout the year, and 6% less than on an average day during the month of march.

 

March Madness

Select an industry:

March Madness is easily one of the biggest sporting events of the year across the United States. And you’d assume that would go double for college towns.

But does the fervor surrounding the Big Dance translate to big sales numbers for restaurants around the University of Nebraska?

To find out, we analyzed revenue at restaurants in Lincoln on game days for each round of the tournament and compared it to the average revenue those Lincoln experienced on similar days of the week during the rest of the year.

Throughout the entire tournamment, on days when games were being played, restaurants earned 8% more than on similar days. Examine the chart above to see how revenue was impacted during each round of the tournament

March Madness is easily one of the biggest sporting events of the year across the United States. And you’d assume that would go double for college towns.

But does the fervor surrounding the Big Dance translate to big sales numbers for lodging places around the University of Nebraska?

To find out, we analyzed revenue at lodging places in Lincoln on game days for each round of the tournament and compared it to the average revenue those Lincoln experienced on similar days of the week during the rest of the year.

Throughout the entire tournamment, on days when games were being played, lodging places earned 25% less than on similar days. Examine the chart above to see how revenue was impacted during each round of the tournament

March Madness is easily one of the biggest sporting events of the year across the United States. And you’d assume that would go double for college towns.

But does the fervor surrounding the Big Dance translate to big sales numbers for retail shops around the University of Nebraska?

To find out, we analyzed revenue at retail shops in Lincoln on game days for each round of the tournament and compared it to the average revenue those Lincoln experienced on similar days of the week during the rest of the year.

Throughout the entire tournamment, on days when games were being played, retail shops earned 2% more than on similar days. Examine the chart above to see how revenue was impacted during each round of the tournament

Finals Week

Select an industry:

The end of spring semester is perhaps the most-anticipated time of the year for college students around the country.

When final exams are in the rear window, do students celebrate by spending at local businesses? Does the extra revenue of family members visiting to attend commencement make a difference?

Let's find out.

Avg. revenue: finals Avg. transactions: finals Avg. ticket price: finals
+5%
vs avg day
+3%
vs avg day
+2%
vs avg day
+9%
vs avg day during May
+7%
vs avg day during May
+1%
vs avg day during May

During the week of final exams, restaurants in and around Lincoln earned 6% more than an average day throughout the year, and 9% more than on an average day during the months of April and May.

 

Finals week was the number 1 week of the year for Lincoln restaurants. Examine the chart above for a closer look at how much revenue was impacted throughout the week of finals.

The end of spring semester is perhaps the most-anticipated time of the year for college students around the country.

When final exams are in the rear window, do students celebrate by spending at local businesses? Does the extra revenue of family members visiting to attend commencement make a difference?

Let's find out.

Avg. revenue: finals Avg. transactions: finals Avg. ticket price: finals
+43%
vs avg day
+9%
vs avg day
+31%
vs avg day
+49%
vs avg day during May
+9%
vs avg day during May
+36%
vs avg day during May

During the week of final exams, lodging places in and around Lincoln earned 44% more than an average day throughout the year, and 49% more than on an average day during the months of April and May.

 

Finals week was the number 16 week of the year for Lincoln lodging places. Examine the chart above for a closer look at how much revenue was impacted throughout the week of finals.

The end of spring semester is perhaps the most-anticipated time of the year for college students around the country.

When final exams are in the rear window, do students celebrate by spending at local businesses? Does the extra revenue of family members visiting to attend commencement make a difference?

Let's find out.

Avg. revenue: finals Avg. transactions: finals Avg. ticket price: finals
+18%
vs avg day
+8%
vs avg day
+9%
vs avg day
+5%
vs avg day during May
+1%
vs avg day during May
+3%
vs avg day during May

During the week of final exams, retail shops in and around Lincoln earned 19% more than an average day throughout the year, and 6% more than on an average day during the months of April and May.

 

Finals week was the number 4 week of the year for Lincoln retail shops. Examine the chart above for a closer look at how much revenue was impacted throughout the week of finals.

Back to School

Select an industry:

As summer ends and students come flocking back to the University of Nebraska, do local restaurants see a major boost in sales?

Here's what we learned

Avg. revenue: back to school Avg. transactions: back to school Avg. ticket price: back to school
+5%
vs avg day
+3%
vs avg day
+1%
vs avg day
+13%
vs avg day during August
+8%
vs avg day during August
+4%
vs avg day during August

 

The week that classes began at the University of Nebraska saw Lincoln restaurants earn 6% more than an average day throughout the year, and 13% more than on an average day during the month of August.

Examine the chart above for a closer look at how much revenue at restaurants were impacted during the first week of classes at the University of Nebraska. (Classes resumed on Monday, August 26)

As summer ends and students come flocking back to the University of Nebraska, do local lodging places see a major boost in sales?

Here's what we learned

Avg. revenue: back to school Avg. transactions: back to school Avg. ticket price: back to school
+77%
vs avg day
+57%
vs avg day
+12%
vs avg day
+323%
vs avg day during August
+220%
vs avg day during August
+32%
vs avg day during August

 

The week that classes began at the University of Nebraska saw Lincoln lodging places earn 77% more than an average day throughout the year, and 323% more than on an average day during the month of August.

Examine the chart above for a closer look at how much revenue at lodging places were impacted during the first week of classes at the University of Nebraska. (Classes resumed on Monday, August 26)

As summer ends and students come flocking back to the University of Nebraska, do local retail shops see a major boost in sales?

Here's what we learned

Avg. revenue: back to school Avg. transactions: back to school Avg. ticket price: back to school
+15%
vs avg day
+9%
vs avg day
+5%
vs avg day
+47%
vs avg day during August
+29%
vs avg day during August
+13%
vs avg day during August

 

The week that classes began at the University of Nebraska saw Lincoln retail shops earn 16% more than an average day throughout the year, and 47% more than on an average day during the month of August.

Examine the chart above for a closer look at how much revenue at retail shops were impacted during the first week of classes at the University of Nebraska. (Classes resumed on Monday, August 26)

Football

Select an industry:

In most parts of the country, the college football season is the highlight of the year for students and locals alike.

But does college football fever in Lincoln translate to big bucks for local businesses?

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

Avg. revenue:
Saturdays during football
Avg. transactions:
Saturdays during football
Avg. ticket price:
Saturdays during football
+8%
vs avg Saturday
+14%
vs avg Saturday
-4%
vs avg Saturday

On Saturdays throughout the college football season, Lincoln restaurants earned 9% more than an average Saturday during the rest of the year.

In fact, college football was big enough for restaurants in Lincoln that 5 of the top 10 days of the year were during college football weekends.

In most parts of the country, the college football season is the highlight of the year for students and locals alike.

But does college football fever in Lincoln translate to big bucks for local businesses?

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

Avg. revenue:
Saturdays during football
Avg. transactions:
Saturdays during football
Avg. ticket price:
Saturdays during football
+12%
vs avg Saturday
+0%
vs avg Saturday
+13%
vs avg Saturday

On Saturdays throughout the college football season, Lincoln lodging places earned 12% more than an average Saturday during the rest of the year.

In fact, college football was big enough for lodging places in Lincoln that 7 of the top 10 days of the year were during college football weekends.

In most parts of the country, the college football season is the highlight of the year for students and locals alike.

But does college football fever in Lincoln translate to big bucks for local businesses?

Let’s take a look at the numbers:

Avg. revenue:
Saturdays during football
Avg. transactions:
Saturdays during football
Avg. ticket price:
Saturdays during football
-8%
vs avg Saturday
-15%
vs avg Saturday
+8%
vs avg Saturday

On Saturdays throughout the college football season, Lincoln retail shops earned 9% less than an average Saturday during the rest of the year.

In fact, college football was big enough for retail shops in Lincoln that 5 of the top 10 days of the year were during college football weekends.

Of course, there is some overlap between the college football season and the holiday shopping season, which is also huge for local retail shops around the country.

Summmer and Holiday Breaks

Select an industry:

Finally, we wanted to look at the two times of year when school is out and many students head home during the break.

Do the summer and holiday breaks result in a dip in sales for restaurants around the University of Nebraska?

Here’s what we learned:

Avg. revenue: summer break Avg. transactions: summer break Avg. ticket price: summer break
-4%
vs avg day
-7%
vs avg day
+3%
vs avg day

From the end of spring semester until the start of fall semester, Lincoln restaurants earned 5% less than the annual average.

Avg. revenue: holiday break Avg. transactions: holiday break Avg. ticket price: holiday break
+0%
vs avg day
-1%
vs avg day
+2%
vs avg day

During the weeks of the holiday break, meanwhile, Lincoln restaurants earned 1% more than the annual average.

Finally, we wanted to look at the two times of year when school is out and many students head home during the break.

Do the summer and holiday breaks result in a dip in sales for lodging places around the University of Nebraska?

Here’s what we learned:

Avg. revenue: summer break Avg. transactions: summer break Avg. ticket price: summer break
+38%
vs avg day
+42%
vs avg day
-2%
vs avg day

From the end of spring semester until the start of fall semester, Lincoln lodging places earned 39% more than the annual average.

Avg. revenue: holiday break Avg. transactions: holiday break Avg. ticket price: holiday break
-28%
vs avg day
-23%
vs avg day
-6%
vs avg day

During the weeks of the holiday break, meanwhile, Lincoln lodging places earned 28% less than the annual average.

Finally, we wanted to look at the two times of year when school is out and many students head home during the break.

Do the summer and holiday breaks result in a dip in sales for retail shops around the University of Nebraska?

Here’s what we learned:

Avg. revenue: summer break Avg. transactions: summer break Avg. ticket price: summer break
+5%
vs avg day
+5%
vs avg day
+0%
vs avg day

From the end of spring semester until the start of fall semester, Lincoln retail shops earned 5% more than the annual average.

Avg. revenue: holiday break Avg. transactions: holiday break Avg. ticket price: holiday break
-15%
vs avg day
+0%
vs avg day
-15%
vs avg day

During the weeks of the holiday break, meanwhile, Lincoln retail shops earned 16% less than the annual average.

Methodology

Womply analyzed daily revenue for over 41,000 retail shops, 36,000 restaurants, 4,000 lodging places, and 2,200 bars, in all 50 states, for all 365 days of the 2019 calendar year. Businesses were only included in the analysis if they qualified as small businesses, Womply had a full year of transaction history, and the business recorded multiple transactions per day, on average.

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