Linn-Benton Community College and its students added $289.7 million in income to the Linn and Benton county economy during the 2023-24 fiscal year, according to a newly released economic impact study.
The report, prepared by labor market analytics firm Lightcast, found that the college’s activities supported 3,613 jobs across the two counties. That works out to about one of every 35 jobs in the region. The total impact represented roughly 2.4% of the region’s gross regional product.
LBCC President Lisa Avery said the findings reflect the value of the college’s long-standing focus on access to education.
“Making education accessible for everyone in our community has guided LBCC for 60 years, and this report shows why it matters,” Avery said. “When a student finishes a degree or certificate here, their family benefits and so does the community.”
Lightcast’s analysis looked at several sources of economic activity tied to the college, including its day-to-day operations, construction projects, spending by students and the higher earnings of former students.
The largest share by far came from LBCC alumni. Their increased earnings, along with the added output of the businesses that employ them, accounted for $209.6 million and 2,349 jobs.
The college’s own payroll and operating expenses added $68.5 million and supported 1,099 jobs. Spending by students who moved to the area or stayed in the region to attend LBCC contributed another $7.9 million and 127 jobs, while college construction projects added $3.8 million and 38 jobs.
The study also examined the return on investment for students, taxpayers and the broader community.
According to the report, students receive $4.50 in higher lifetime earnings for each dollar they spend on their LBCC education. An LBCC graduate with an associate degree earns an average of $8,700 more per year than an Oregon worker with only a high school diploma.
Taxpayers recoup the full amount of their investment through increased tax revenue and reduced demand for public services, the report found. Society as a whole gains $5 in added income and social savings for each dollar invested in the college.
The report also measured the combined impact of Oregon’s 17 community colleges. Together, they added $11 billion to the state economy in fiscal year 2023-24, or about 3.7% of Oregon’s gross state product, and supported 120,140 jobs — one of every 23 jobs statewide.
Oregon’s community colleges served 125,399 credit students and 77,494 noncredit students during that year.