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Texas Community Colleges
Upper Rio Grande 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 six counties in the Upper Rio Grande region — one of 12 economic regions defined by the Comptroller’s office — include one community college district, El Paso Community College.
List of community college districts in the Upper Rio Grande region
- El Paso
Community
College
Regional Impact of Community Colleges’ spending, Fiscal 2019
Employment
2,085
Output
$192.1 million
Compensation
$91.8 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 Upper Rio Grande region with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earned an average of $6,090 more annually than high school graduates.
Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Upper Rio Grande Region, 2018
| Educational Attainment | Average Annual Earnings, Region |
|---|---|
| Less than high school | $32,989 |
| High school or equivalent, no college | $40,037 |
| Some college or associate degree | $46,127 |
| Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree | $61,820 |
| Educational attainment not available | $22,516 |
| Total | $41,659 |
Average overall: $41,659
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ
Average wage Increase Over High School or Equivalent
$6,090
Number of workers, Some College or Associate Degree
72,282
Total Regional additional wages
$440.2 million
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, JobsEQ and
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Certificates and Degrees
Top Certificates and Degrees, Upper Rio Grande Region
| Certificates and Degrees | Number Awarded |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2,685 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | 1,923 |
| Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 576 |
| Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services | 530 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 438 |
Source: JobsEQ
Regional Employment Needs
Fastest growing Occupations, Upper Rio Grande Region
| Occupation | Total Employed | 5-Year Employment Change |
|---|---|---|
| Other Personal Care and Service Workers | 13,243 | 3,584 |
| Food and Beverage Serving Workers | 21,779 | 3,223 |
| Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners | 13,409 | 2,196 |
| Motor Vehicle Operators | 13,388 | 2,165 |
| Construction Trades Workers | 13,599 | 1,886 |
Source: JobsEQ
The Upper Rio Grande region’s one community college district awarded more than 3,500 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 mechanic and repair technologies.
Spotlight
EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE
- The new Transportation Training Center at El Paso Community College (EPCC) will train El Paso’s future workforce in the high-demand career fields of diesel technology, automotive technology and auto collision repair.
- EPCC also offers a Cisco Networking Academy, which guides students toward certification as Cisco Certified Network Associates.
- To meet local needs, EPCC provides a Border Health Issues enhanced skills certificate, which teaches students to work as members of multidisciplinary teams to address the unique health care challenges of U.S./Mexico border communities.
Summary
Community colleges play a vital role for students and businesses by offering postsecondary education and job training at great value. As El Paso Community College works to address local skills gaps and meet the needs of area employers, it supports more than 2,000 jobs and adds more than $192 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 more than $440 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.