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Texas Community Colleges
High Plains Region
Created to expand Texans’ access to higher education, the state’s 50 community college districts serve a vital role in our state’s economy by developing our workforce, preparing students for further academic study and meeting the specific educational and vocational needs of the local areas they serve.
The 41 counties in the High Plains region — one of 12 economic regions defined by the Comptroller’s office — include four community college districts.
List of community college districts in the high plains region
- Amarillo College
- Clarendon College
- Frank Phillips College
- South Plains College
Regional Impact of Community Colleges’ spending, Fiscal 2019
Employment
2,570
Output
$459.4 million
Compensation
$137.3 million
Note: Figures include direct, indirect and induced economic impacts.
Sources: JobsEQ, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas community colleges.
Wages by Educational Attainment
Community colleges provide their students with a good return on their investment.
In 2018, workers in the High Plains region with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earned an average of $3,539 more annually than high school graduates.
Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, High Plains Region, 2018
| Educational Attainmen | Number Employed, Region | Average Annual Earnings, Region | Number Employed, Texas | Average Annual Earnings, Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 62,657 | $39,622 | 2,065,483 | $42,808 |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 91,273 | $45,422 | 2,765,759 | $52,035 |
| Some college or associate degree | 101,540 | $48,961 | 3,245,675 | $60,428 |
| Bachelor's degree or advanced degree | 59,921 | $65,629 | 2,454,975 | $95,716 |
Average overall: $47,557
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ
Average wage Increase Over High School or Equivalent
$3,539
Number of workers, Some College or Associate Degree
101,540
Total Regional additional wages
$359.4 million
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, JobsEQ and
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Certificates and Degrees
Top Certificates and Degrees, High Plains Region
| Certificates and Degrees | Number Awarded |
|---|---|
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | 1,157 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 781 |
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services | 566 |
| Personal and Culinary Services | 310 |
| Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 277 |
Source: JobsEQ
Regional Employment Needs
Fastest growing Occupations, High Plains Region
| Occupation | Total Employed | 5-Year Employment Change |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Beverage Serving Workers | 22,581 | 2,740 |
| Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners | 14,502 | 1,366 |
| Agricultural Workers | 10,668 | 1,072 |
| Cooks and Food Preparation Workers | 9,035 | 728 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians | 9,079 | 641 |
Source: JobsEQ
The High Plains region’s community college districts awarded more than 1,100 certificates and associate degrees in health professions in the 2017-18 school year; the next most-common award areas were general studies and liberal arts and business administration.
Spotlight
AMARILLO COLLEGE
- In fiscal 2018, Amarillo College added $639.4 million in income to its service area economy, equal to about 3.7 percent of the region’s gross product.
- A fiscal 2018 analysis showed students’ average annual rate of return for their investment in Amarillo College was 24.6 percent.
- In response to local employer needs, Amarillo College built a full data science degree program and a data analytics continuing education certification.
Summary
Community colleges play a vital role for students and businesses by offering postsecondary education and job training at great value. As the High Plains region’s four community college districts work to address local skills gaps and meet the specific needs of area employers, they support nearly 2,600 jobs and add more than $259 million in economic output annually. Furthermore, the higher pay of those with some college or an associate degree helps raise total wages in the region by over $359 million per year.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.