Staff reports | Community Updates
Maricopa Community Colleges contributed nearly $9 billion in income to the local economy during the 2023–24 fiscal year, according to a comprehensive economic impact study conducted by Lightcast.
The study highlights the system’s return on investment for students, taxpayers, society and employers, according to a press release.
“Our system delivers value to the community not only through the affordable, accessible, high-quality education we provide our students, but also through the economic impact we generate for Maricopa County,” said Dr. Steven R. Gonzales, chancellor of Maricopa Community Colleges. “Arizona as a whole benefits from our 10 colleges and their students, fostering a stronger, more prosperous economy and enriching the lives of residents who call the county home.”
The system’s $9 billion impact exceeds the $3.9 billion economic footprint of Arizona’s 2023 exports of semiconductors and other electronic components. Maricopa Community Colleges educate more Arizonans than any other institution, with 90% of students residing in Maricopa County. The system offers more than 600 degree and certificate programs, including 11 workforce-aligned bachelor’s degrees.
By the numbers
•Supported over 108,000 local jobs, or one in every 30 jobs countywide
•Generated $7 billion in added income from alumni working in Maricopa County, supporting 86,700 jobs
•Added $854 million through direct operations spending across 10 colleges
•Employed nearly 10,500 full-time and part-time faculty and staff
•Every $1 invested in student education returns $5.20 in future earnings
•Taxpayers gain $1.40 over the course of students’ working lives, with a 2.7% annual return
•Arizona receives $9.90 in benefits for every $1 invested, as long as graduates remain employed in the state
