A Northern Illinois University study proves community college graduates’ value to the economy. That’s the message from ICC, Spoon River and Heartland Community College Presidents along with the Illinois Community College Board.
One portion of the study tracked the earnings of 2002 Illinois Community College graduates over a decade. Curt Oldfield is the President of Spoon River College he says, “That tracking of their earnings and their increase of earning over that period equated to an $13.2 billion increase of federal taxes that were paid by those students.”
Oldfield says the graduates also contributed nearly $4 Billion more in state tax revenue.
The executive director of the Illinois Community College Board says the study also shows nine out of 10 graduates remain in the state. It also shows 74 percent of Illinois employers have hired Community College graduates.
The Community Colleges Board wants to make sure the new Governor understands the crucial role Community Colleges play in economic development. The Illinois Community College System is the 3rd largest in the country.