College of St. Joseph the Worker Enrollment Opens New Downtown Opportunity
College of St. Joseph the Worker Enrollment Opens New Downtown Opportunity
Enrollment Growth & Profile
The College of Saint Joseph the Worker welcomed its inaugural class of 31 students in Fall 2024.
For Fall 2025, the Cardinal Newman Society reports an enrollment of 63 students, more than doubling in just one year, and enrollment growth is expected to continue.
The college combines a Bachelor of Arts in Catholic Studies with hands-on training in skilled trades such as carpentry, plumbing, HVAC, and electrical work. College of St. Joseph the Worker+1
What This Means for Downtown Steubenville
These students live, study and train right in downtown Steubenville — which means more daily foot traffic for cafés, restaurants, retail shops, and services along Fourth Street and nearby blocks.
Because CSJW emphasizes trade work and apprenticeships, many students are already engaged in real-world projects — meaning they’re working locally, spending locally, and contributing to the downtown economy in more than just leisure spending.
The presence of a new college helps diversify downtown’s activity base — not just evening entertainment, but weekday daytime energy, student housing demand, and broader cultural vibrancy.
Opportunity for the Business Community
Local businesses can lean into this growth by offering student-friendly hours, pricing, and experiences: study spaces, trade-worker lunch specials, retrofit-friendly services, and supportive housing or furnishings.
Real-estate owners should monitor increased student housing and workspace demand — as CSJW grows, so too does the need for affordable nearby living, co-working and maker space.
Cultural organizations and event planners can tap into this new cohort: welcome events, down-town walk-to venues, collaboration with trade showcases — all of which signal vibrancy to prospective students and their families.
In Summary
The launch and rapid growth of the College of St. Joseph the Worker is another arrow pointing upward for downtown Steubenville. It reflects educational, economic and community momentum—and for the Downtown Steubenville Business Association, it means more reasons to invest, innovate and engage with downtown’s future.
