Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Glenn Hegar
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
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Texas Community Colleges

Metroplex 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 19 counties in the Metroplex region — one of 12 economic regions defined by the Comptroller’s office — include eight community college districts.

List of community college districts in the Metroplex region

  • Collin County Community College District
  • Dallas County Community College District
  • Grayson College
  • Navarro College
  • North Central Texas College
  • Tarrant County College District
  • Trinity Valley Community College
  • Weatherford College

Regional Impact of Community Colleges’ spending, Fiscal 2019

Employment

14,312

Output

$1.95 billion

Compensation

$936.8 million

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 2018, workers in the Metroplex region with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earned an average of $5,338 more annually than high school graduates.


Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Metroplex Region, 2018

Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Metroplex Region and Texas, 2018
Educational Attainment Average Annual Earnings, Region
Less than high school $41,304
High school or equivalent, no college $47,257
Some college or associate degree $52,595
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree $71,607
Educational attainment not available $21,399
Total $50,105

Average overall: $50,105

 Source: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ

Average wage Increase Over High School or Equivalent

$5,338

Number of workers, Some College or Associate Degree

967,689

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, Metroplex Region, 2017-18 School Year

Top 10 Certificates and Degree Awards, Metroplex Region Community Colleges,  2017-18 School Year
Certificates and Degrees Number Awarded
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 14,150
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences 7,290
Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services 3,852
Personal and Culinary Services 2,990
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians 2,489

Source: JobsEQ

Regional Employment Needs

Fastest growing Occupations, Metroplex Region 2014 to 2019

Top Occupations in the Metroplex Region by Numeric Growth, 2014 to 2019
Occupation Number Employed Five-Year Employment Change
Food and Beverage Serving Workers 203,231 32,971
Material Moving Workers 141,458 27,940
Computer Occupations 136,708 27,841
Business Operations Specialists 129,793 24,748
Construction Trades Workers 151,510 23,915

Source: JobsEQ


The Metroplex region’s community college districts awarded more than 14,000 certificates and associate degrees in general studies and liberal arts in the 2017-18 school year; the next most-common award areas were health professions and business administration.


Spotlight

WEATHERFORD COLLEGE

  • To meet demand for industrial maintenance technicians, Weatherford College has developed a program in industrial maintenance and automation technology with a grant from the National Science Foundation. Courses began in Fall 2019.
  • In partnership with Weatherford Parker County Animal Shelter, Weatherford College plans to offer a veterinary technician program to help students begin or advance careers in the animal care industry beginning in August 2020.
  • In response to high-demand, Weatherford College plans to offer bachelor’s degrees in nursing beginning in Fall 2020 and organizational leadership beginning in Fall 2021.

Summary

Community colleges play a vital role for students and businesses by offering postsecondary education and job training at great value. As the Metroplex region’s eight community college districts work to address local skills gaps and meet the specific needs of area employers, they support more than 14,000 jobs and add nearly $2 billion in economic output annually. Furthermore, the higher pay of those with some college or an associate degree helps raise total wages in the region by more than $5 billion per year.


Learn more about community colleges AND THE TEXAS ECONOMY.

Glenn Hegar

Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts

Questions?

If you have any questions or concerns regarding the material on this page, please contact the Comptroller’s Data Analysis and Transparency Division.