New Report: Community Colleges Contributed $809 Billion to Economy in 2012

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) released a report, "Where Value Meets Values: The Economic Impact of Community Colleges," showing that community colleges are a boon to the American economy at large and to the individual student.

In 2012 alone, community colleges were responsible for $809 billion in added income in the U.S. economy, equal to 5.4 percent of GDP. 

Students also experience a significant economic benefit. For every one dollar a student spends on his or her two-year college education, he or she sees an return on investment (ROI) of $3.80.

Over time, the U.S. economy will see even greater economic benefits, including $285.7 billion dollars in increased tax revenue as students earn higher wages and $19.2 billion in taxpayer savings as students require fewer safety net services, experience better health, and lower rates of crime.

Please access the links below to read more:

• Where Value Meets Values: The Economic Impact of Community Colleges (Full Report)
• Where Value Meets Values: The Economic Impact of Community Colleges (Executive Summary)
• Economic Impact Study Fact Sheet
• Return on Investment: Social
• Return on Investment: Student
• Return on Investment: Taxpayer

The study was compiled by Economic Modeling Specialists Intl., (EMSI). EMSI turns labor market data into useful information that helps organizations understand the connection between economies, people, and work. Read more about EMSI.