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Regional Impact of Community Colleges’
Texas Community Colleges
Northwest 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 30 counties in the Northwest region — one of 12 economic regions defined by the Comptroller’s office — include five community college districts.
List of community college districts in the northwest region
- Cisco College
- North Central Texas College
- Ranger College
- Vernon College
- Western Texas College
Regional Impact of Community Colleges’
spending, Fiscal 2019
Employment
1,396
Output
$128.4 million
Compensation
$70.1 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 Northwest region with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earned an average of $3,401 more annually than high school graduates.
Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Northwest Region, 2018
| Educational Attainment | Number Employed, Region | Average Annual Earnings, Region | Number Employed, Texas | Average Annual Earnings, Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 31,068 | $35,612 | 2,065,483 | $42,808 |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 55,171 | $39,212 | 2,765,759 | $52,035 |
| Some college or associate degree | 58,694 | $42,613 | 3,245,675 | $60,428 |
| Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree | 33,383 | $56,035 | 2,454,975 | $95,716 |
| Educational attainment not available | 25,530 | $21,590 | 1,544,282 | $22,087 |
| Total | 203,847 | $41,019 | 12,076,174 | $58,787 |
Average overall: $41,019
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ
Average wage Increase Over High School or Equivalent
$3,401
Number of workers, Some College or Associate Degree
58,694
Total Regional additional wages
$199.6 million
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, JobsEQ and
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Certificates and Degrees
Top Certificates and Degrees, Northwest Region
| Certificates and Degrees | Number Awarded |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1,188 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | 458 |
| Skilled Precision Production of Leather, Metal or Wood Products | 142 |
| Personal and Culinary Services | 134 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 85 |
Source: JobsEQ
Regional Employment Needs
Fastest growing Occupations, Northwest Region
| Occupation | Total Employed | 5-Year Employment Change |
|---|---|---|
| Other Personal Care and Service Workers | 7,652 | 1,313 |
| Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners | 9,323 | 995 |
| Food and Beverage Serving Workers | 11,957 | 786 |
| Building Cleaning and Pest Control Workers | 5,422 | 639 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians | 5,935 | 268 |
Source: JobsEQ
The Northwest region’s community college districts awarded more than 1,100 certificates and associate degrees in general studies and liberal arts in the 2017-18 school year; the next most-common award areas were health professions and precision production.
Spotlight
Cisco College
- In fiscal 2018, Cisco College added $123.6 million in income to the Cisco College service area’s economy, equal to about 1.2 percent of the area’s gross product.
- Cisco College’s total impact supported 1,982 regional jobs, or one out of every 60 jobs in the Cisco College service area.
- The average associate degree graduate from Cisco College will see an increase in earnings of $8,200 each year compared to a high school graduate or equivalent working in Texas.
- Cisco College’s biotechnology program provides students hands-on experience with scientific tests, experiments and analyses to prepare for an entry-level position in the rapidly growing biotechnology field.
Summary
Community colleges play a vital role for students and businesses by offering postsecondary education and job training at great value. As the Northwest region’s five community college districts work to address local skills gaps and meet the specific needs of area employers, they support nearly 1,400 jobs and add more than $128 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 nearly $200 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.