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Wharton County
Texas Community Colleges
Gulf Coast Region
Created to expand Texans’ access to higher education, the state’s 50 community college districts serve a vital role in our state’s economy by developing our workforce, preparing students for further academic study and meeting the specific educational and vocational needs of the local areas they serve.
The 13 counties in the Gulf Coast region — one of 12 economic regions defined by the Comptroller’s office — include 9 community college districts.
List of community college districts in the gulf coast region
- Alvin Community College
- Brazosport College
- College of the Mainland Community College
- Galveston College
- Houston Community College
- Lee College
- Lone Star College System
- San Jacinto Community College
- Wharton County Junior College
Regional Impact of Community Colleges’ spending, Fiscal 2019
Employment
20,077
Output
$2.7 billion
Compensation
$1.3 billion
Note: Figures include direct, indirect and induced economic impacts.
Sources: JobsEQ, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and Texas community colleges.
Wages by Educational Attainment
Community colleges provide their students with a good return on their investment.
In 2019, workers in the Gulf Coast region with some college or associate degrees, with stable jobs, earned an average of $6,408 more annually than high school graduates.
Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Gulf Coast Region, 2018
| Educational Attainmen | Number Employed, Region | Average Annual Earnings, Region | Number Employed, Texas | Average Annual Earnings, Texas |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Less than high school | 516,634 | $43,491 | 2,065,483 | $42,808 |
| High school or equivalent, no college | 661,979 | $51,093 | 2,765,759 | $52,035 |
| Some college or associate degree | 796,592 | $57,501 | 3,245,675 | $60,428 |
| Bachelor's degree or advanced degree | 648,501 | $81,421 | 2,454,975 | $95,716 |
Average overall: $58,377
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ
Average wage Increase Over High School or Equivalent
$6,408
Number of workers, Some College or Associate Degree
796,592
Total Regional additional wages
$5.1 billion
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, JobsEQ and
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Certificates and Degrees
Top Certificates and Degrees, Gulf Coast Region
| Certificates and Degrees | Number Awarded |
|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 12,574 |
| Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences | 7,797 |
| Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services | 3,974 |
| Personal and Culinary Services | 2,599 |
| Precision Production | 2,246 |
| Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 2,220 |
| Engineering Technologies/Technicians | 2,185 |
| Science Technologies/Technicians | 1,385 |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services | 777 |
| Security and Protective Services | 739 |
Source: JobsEQ
Regional Employment Needs
Fastest growing Occupations, Gulf Coast Region
| >Occupation | Total Employed | 5-Year Employment Change |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Beverage Serving Workers | 172191 | 25174 |
| Other Personal Care and Service Workers | 79010 | 18124 |
| Construction Trades Workers | 160545 | 16057 |
| Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners | 102161 | 13840 |
| Business Operations Specialists | 96304 | 12390 |
Source: JobsEQ
Gulf Coast community colleges awarded more than 12,000 general studies and liberal arts certificates and associate degrees in the 2017-18 school year, followed by business administration and health care.
Spotlight
Wharton County
Junior College
- Nuclear power technology, process technology and manufacturing technology programs provide students with high-tech training and instruction in the classroom and in labs to meet technology needs.
- WCJC’s newly renovated Johnson Health Occupations Center offers the training needed to enter the highly competitive health care field.
- Wharton ISD’s Realizing Our Academic Reward Academy (ROAR) allows high school students to earn up to 60 college credit hours during high school.
- WCJC’s Business Office Technology program, which trains students in skills such as accounting and business writing, places more than 90 percent of its graduates in jobs.
Summary
Texas’ 50 community college districts contribute billions of dollars to the state’s economy and support thousands of jobs while providing Texas students with a low-cost option to build skills or prepare for further education.
The nine community college districts in the Gulf Coast region account for more than 20,000 jobs and more than $2.7 billion in output annually, while the greater skills and education of graduates add another $5.1 billion to the region’s total income. This region, however, still has unmet demand for degrees and certificates in business fields. Community colleges are best suited to meet these demands, helping to fulfill opportunities for students and businesses alike.
Questions?
If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.