LBCC contributed $289.7 million in added income to the Linn and Benton counties' economy in fiscal year 2023-24 and supported 3,613 jobs, according to a new economic impact report examining the college's role in the regional and state economies.

"Making education accessible for everyone in our community has guided LBCC for 60 years, and this report shows why it matters," said LBCC President Lisa Avery. "When a student finishes a degree or certificate here, their family benefits and so does the community. I'm proud of what happens at LBCC every day."

The impact was equal to approximately 2.4% of the region's gross regional product. Put another way, one out of every 35 jobs in Linn and Benton counties was supported by the college and its students.

The report, prepared by labor market analytics firm Lightcast using fiscal year 2023-24 data, measures the impact of college operations, construction, student spending and the increased earnings of LBCC alumni and the businesses that employ them.

LBCC's total annual impact includes:

  • $209.6 million from the increased earnings of LBCC alumni and the businesses they work for, supporting 2,349 jobs.
  • $68.5 million from college payroll and other operating expenses, supporting 1,099 jobs.
  • $7.9 million from the spending of students who relocated to or stayed in Linn and Benton counties to attend LBCC, supporting 127 jobs.
  • $3.8 million from college construction projects, supporting 38 jobs.

The report also found a strong return for students, taxpayers, and the broader community. For every dollar students put into their LBCC education, they gain $4.50 in higher lifetime earnings. Taxpayers fully recover their investment through added tax revenue and public-sector savings, and society gains $5 in added income and social savings for every dollar invested. The average LBCC associate degree graduate earns $8,700 more each year than someone with a high school diploma working in Oregon.

At the statewide level, Oregon's 17 community colleges added $11 billion to the state economy in fiscal year 2023-24, equal to 3.7% of Oregon's gross state product. Together, they supported 120,140 jobs. That's one out of every 23 jobs in the state. The colleges served 125,399 credit students and 77,494 non-credit students during the year.