The economic value of Clackamas Community College
Clackamas Community College is an important driver of economic opportunity and workforce development in Clackamas County. By providing education, training and career pathways, CCC helps students gain the skills needed for in-demand jobs while supplying local employers with a skilled workforce.
The following analysis highlights the economic value CCC creates for students, taxpayers, businesses and the broader community.
Economic impact
In fiscal year 2023-24, CCC added $328 million in income to the Clackamas County economy, a value approximately equal to 1.2% of the county’s total gross regional product (GRP). The college's activities supported 3,762 jobs, meaning one out of every 70 jobs in Clackamas County is connected to CCC's presence and impact.
Driving prosperity in our region
3,762
jobs supported
$328 million
added income
$1.20
returned to taxpayers for every dollar of public money invested in CCC
1
out of every 70 jobs in Clackamas County is supported by the activities of CCC and its students
Operations spending impact
CCC employed 985 full-time and part-time faculty and staff. Payroll amounted to $79.6 million, much of which was spent in the county on groceries, mortgage and rent payments, dining out and other household expenses. The college spent another $25.9 million on its expenses related to facilities, supplies and professional services (excluding construction).
The net impact of the college’s operations spending added $88.1 million in income to the county economy in fiscal year 2023-24.
Student spending impact
Around 21% of students attending CCC originated from outside the county. Some of these students relocated to Clackamas County. In addition, some in-county students, referred to as retained students, would have left Clackamas County for other educational opportunities if not for CCC. These relocated and retained students spent money on groceries, mortgage and rent payments, and other living expenses at businesses in the county.
Alumni impact
Over the years, students have studied at CCC and entered or re-entered the workforce with newly acquired knowledge and skills. Today, thousands of these former students are employed in Clackamas County. The net impact of CCC’s former students currently employed in the county workforce amounted to $225.4 million in added income in fiscal year 2023-24.
Return on investment
Beyond its impact on the local economy, CCC creates long-term value for students, taxpayers and society.
Student perspective
CCC’s fiscal year 2023-24 students paid a present value of $22.8 million to cover the cost of tuition, fees, supplies and interest on student loans. They also forwent a value of $20.1 million in time and money had they been working instead of attending college.
In return for their investment, students will receive a cumulative present value of $193.8 million in increased earnings over their working lives. This translates to a return of $4.50 in higher future earnings for every dollar students invest in their education. Students’ average annual rate of return is 17.7%.
Taxpayer perspective
Taxpayers provided CCC with $72 million of funding in fiscal year 2023-24. In return, they benefited from added tax revenue, stemming from students’ higher lifetime earnings and increased business output, amounting to $80.7 million. A reduced demand for government-funded services in Oregon added another $7.6 million in benefits to taxpayers.
Total taxpayer benefits amounted to $88.3 million, the present value sum of the added tax revenue and public sector savings. For every dollar of public money invested in CCC, taxpayers receive $1.20 in return over the course of students’ working lives. The average annual rate of return for taxpayers is 2.2%.
Social perspective
In fiscal year 2023-24, Oregon invested $136.5 million to support CCC. In turn, the Oregon economy will grow by $807.3 million over the course of students’ working lives. Society will also benefit from $13.4 million of public and private sector savings.
For every dollar invested in CCC in fiscal year 2023-24, people in Oregon will receive $6 in return, for as long as CCC’s students remain active in the state workforce.
The results of this study were prepared by Lightcast.
