The Socioeconomic Benefits Generated by 30 Community College Districts in Washington. Executive Summary [and] Volume 1: Main Report [and] Volume 2: Detailed Results

This document contains an executive summary, main report, and detailed results that examine to what extent the thirty community and technical colleges in the district of Washington positively affect the economy of the state. The four areas of benefits are: (1) contributions to local jobs and incomes; (2) higher earnings captured by existing students; (3) broad collection of social benefits including reduced crime and improved health; and (4) benefits returned to taxpayers. The following are some of the key findings of the study: (1) the 30 community colleges in Washington create $7,045.0 million of the annual earnings in the state economy; (2) the community colleges pay wages and salaries which generate additional income; (3) each year new students get their degrees and join the workforce which creates a stronger economy; (4) for every credit a student earns, they will make a $100 more per year; and (5) taxpayers benefit from community colleges by having improved health, reduced crime, and reduced welfare/unemployment. For all of these reasons, the document concludes that community colleges better the lives of students and reduce the need for taxpayer-supported social services. Furthermore, community colleges improve the local and state economy. Contains numerous graphs and tables. (MZ)