A recent study conducted by Kjell A. Christophersen, in Texas, reveals that for every $1 dollar spent on community colleges, Texas is paid back $9. The study concluded that the impact of community colleges on the Texas economy is $1 billion.
According to Emily Klement, the dean of the Bowie and Graham campuses for North Central Texas College (NCTC), investing in community colleges is a proven winner, and the paybacks are enormous. A more educated pool of workers to choose from for local employees, more money for citizens to spend and a decrease in spending on existing social programs are all ways this type of investment improves the Texas economy. Looking beyond the quality-of-life impacts that this type of investment can have; the real value lies in the growing effects it can have on the local economies. More investment creates an environment where community college students are able to fill important shift work for local businesses and help they help stabilize the economy in small communities. Investing in institutions such as NCTC can also make college more affordable for students who want to transition to a four-year institution. Being able to complete course work at the community college level (where the per-credit cost is substantially less expensive) and then transfer those credits to a four-year school lessens the financial burden of the student and gives more financial power to both the student and consumer.
To read more about NCTC and the study click here
