Report: Community colleges good for taxpayers
By Katherine Mangan, Chronicle of Higher Education
Community-college graduates receive nearly $5 in benefits for every dollar they spend on their education, while the return to taxpayers is almost six to one, according to a report released on Tuesday that measures not only graduates’ higher earning power but also their healthier lifestyles.
The report, “Where Value Meets Values: The Economic Impact of Community Colleges,” seeks to quantify what happens when community colleges provide employers with skilled workers, the economy with consumers, and graduates with jobs along with better health and well-being.
The 88-page report was prepared by Economic Modeling Specialists International for the American Association of Community Colleges.