#19STRONG Economic Impact

LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S COMMUNITY COLLEGES (LA’s Community Colleges) create value in many ways. The colleges play a key role in helping students increase their employability and achieve their individual potential. The colleges draw students to the county, generating new dollars and opportunities for Los Angeles County. The colleges provide students with the education, training, and skills they need to have fulfilling and prosperous careers. Furthermore, the colleges are places for students to meet new people, increase their self-confidence, and promote their overall health and well-being.

LA’s Community Colleges influence both the lives of students and the county economy. The colleges support a variety of industries in Los Angeles County, serve county businesses, and benefit society as a whole in California from an expanded economy and improved quality of life. Additionally, the benefits created by LA’s Community Colleges extend to the state and local government through increased tax revenues and public sector savings.

This study measures the economic impacts created by LA’s Community Colleges on the business community and the benefits the colleges generate in return for the investments made by their key stakeholder groups—students, taxpayers, and society.