Illinois Community Colleges’ Economic Impacts and Student Employment Outcomes

Abstract

In 2020-21 the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) contracted with Northern Illinois University (NIU) Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) to do an in-depth study of the economic impacts of the Illinois Community College System (ICCS). The ICCS Economic Impact Study report includes the following components: • An environmental scan demonstrates the need for and value of community colleges as a key component of state and regional workforce initiatives. External factors such as demography and the labor market are examined and highlight how the ICCS is well-positioned to meet community need and quickly place students in occupations and industries in demand. • A student-level outcome analysis highlights the substantial return on investment from community college certificates and degrees. Subgroup analysis on student demographics, types/lengths of certificates and degrees, and areas of study are examined. • An economic impact analysis establishes the importance of community colleges as economic engines and employment hubs in their host communities. District-level Economic Impact Study reports are available through each community college’s Public Relations division and/or Institutional Research division