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MUSCLE SHOALS & PHIL CAMPBELL-Northwest Shoals Community College (NWSCC) added $179.1 million in income to the Northwest Alabama economy in fiscal year 2023-24. The impact supported 3,045 jobs.
Students and alumni of colleges within the Alabama Community College System (ACCS) added $8.1 billion to the state’s economy, an amount equal to about 3% of Alabama’s total gross state product, according to an economic impact report released on Wednesday (2/12).
The independent, 130-page report by Lightcast, states Alabama’s community colleges support 114,043 jobs in Alabama, which is equivalent to one out of every 26 jobs. Some students, who might have otherwise left Alabama for higher education, stay because of the opportunities available at the state’s community colleges. In the 2023-24 school year, 3% of ACCS students were from out of state, with some relocating to Alabama specifically to attend a community college.
According to NWSCC President Jeff Goodwin, the report allows the College to quantify the impact it has on the community each year. “Our community college system knows how important it is to capture the impact of how we serve our communities every day,” said Goodwin. “This report puts numbers to the impact we see and hear every day through our countless alumni and student testimonials.”
One of the largest takeaways from the report is regarding NWSCC alumni impact. The report states, “Today, thousands of former NWSCC students are employed in the NWSCC Service Area. As a result of their education from NWSCC, the students receive higher earnings and increase the productivity of the businesses that employ them. In FY 2023-24, NWSCC alumni generated $140.1 million in added income for the regional economy, which is equivalent to supporting 2,194 jobs.”
“Our students and graduates are working, earning, and reinvesting in Alabama’s communities,” said ACCS Chancellor Jimmy H. Baker. “Businesses across the state rely on them to keep operations strong. No other entity has a greater reach in education and workforce training, and we are committed to ensuring every student leaves our colleges prepared to contribute to their communities, their industries, and Alabama’s economic growth.”
Highlights from the NWSCC and ACCS reports:
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The impact of the Alabama Community College System, which represents 24 community and technical colleges across Alabama, supported 114,043 jobs in FY2023-24. For perspective, the activities of the colleges and their students support one out of every 26 jobs in Alabama.
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One out of every 39 jobs in the NWSCC service area is supported by the activities of NWSCC and its students.
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The average NWSCC associate degree graduate earns $7,700 more each year than a resident who does not obtain more than a high school diploma.
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The expenditures of relocated and retained students in FY 2023-24 added $170.3 million in income to the Alabama economy.
Lightcast analyzed data using FY 2023-24 academic and financial reports from Alabama’s community and technical colleges, the Alabama Technology Network, as well as industry and employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Census Bureau.
The full ACCS report can be found at accs.edu/impact/. The NWSCC specific report can be viewed at nwscc.edu/impact.
Media Release/Trent Randolph/Director of Public Relations and Marketing NWSCC
