The Positive Impact of Community Colleges

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Mar 30, 2015, 02:00 ET

GLEN ELLYN, Ill., March 30, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- A new report by the Center for Governmental Studies at Northern Illinois University adds yet more credibility to the impact community colleges have on students, local communities and beyond.

Community colleges continue to grow in prestige in terms of quality of education and student career success and community contributions.

"Community colleges are a vital resource for traditional age and adult students who want to continue their education, change careers or build upon skills for a current job," said College of DuPage Board Chair Erin Birt. "This report demonstrates the impact two-year schools have on communities throughout Illinois in terms of economic and educational achievement."

Among the report's findings:

Between 2000 and 2012, there was a 57 percent increase in Illinois community college graduates, with the largest number of completers (173 percent) in health professions and related sciences.
Nine in 10 (87 percent) community colleges students stay in Illinois for employment in the five-year period after graduation.
At some point in the last 12 years, 74 percent of Illinois employers hired a community college student.
In the last 12 years, nearly 1.4 million Illinois residents enrolled in community college noncredit, short-term business and industry training or professional and vocational development courses.
In FY 2012, Illinois community colleges generated a total economic output of $3.1 billion and almost 51,000 jobs.
Illinois community colleges are advancing the state's goal of 60 percent of adults with a college degree or marketable credential by the year 2025.

In addition, a recent Illinois Community College System (ICCS) study estimated that in fiscal year 2012, the total economic impact of community colleges in the state of Illinois was $3.1 billion and 50,973 jobs. Additionally, the study found that in fiscal year 2012, College of DuPage generated a total economic output in excess of $400 million and produced more than 2,600 jobs.

Among the state's public colleges and universities, College of DuPage, with nearly 30,000 students, is the second largest provider of undergraduate education in Illinois. Earlier this year, College of DuPage was named the fastest-growing community college in the nation outside of California by Community College Week in a study with data gathered by the U.S. Department of Education. In addition, the College experienced the largest spring 2015 enrollment gains among the 39 community college districts in Illinois.

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SOURCE College of DuPage