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

Northwest 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 30 counties in the Northwest region — one of 12 economic regions defined by the Comptroller’s office — include five community college districts.

List of community college districts in the northwest region

  • Cisco College
  • North Central Texas College
  • Ranger College
  • Vernon College
  • Western Texas College

Regional Impact of Community Colleges’
spending, Fiscal 2019

Employment

1,396

Output

$128.4 million

Compensation

$70.1 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 Northwest region with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earned an average of $3,401 more annually than high school graduates.


Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Northwest Region, 2018

Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Northwest Region and Texas, 2018
Educational Attainment Number Employed, Region Average Annual Earnings, Region Number Employed, Texas Average Annual Earnings, Texas
Less than high school 31,068 $35,612 2,065,483 $42,808
High school or equivalent, no college 55,171 $39,212 2,765,759 $52,035
Some college or associate degree 58,694 $42,613 3,245,675 $60,428
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree 33,383 $56,035 2,454,975 $95,716
Educational attainment not available 25,530 $21,590 1,544,282 $22,087
Total 203,847 $41,019 12,076,174 $58,787

Average overall: $41,019

 Source: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ

Average wage Increase Over High School or Equivalent

$3,401

Number of workers, Some College or Associate Degree

58,694

Total Regional additional wages

$199.6 million

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, JobsEQ and
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts



Certificates and Degrees

Top Certificates and Degrees, Northwest Region

Top Certificates and Degree Awards in the Northwest Region’s Community Colleges, 2017-18 School Year
Certificates and Degrees Number Awarded
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 1,188
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences 458
Skilled Precision Production of Leather, Metal or Wood Products 142
Personal and Culinary Services 134
Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services 85

Source: JobsEQ

Regional Employment Needs

Fastest growing Occupations, Northwest Region

Fastest growing Occupations, Northwest Region
Occupation Total Employed 5-Year Employment Change
Other Personal Care and Service Workers 7,652 1,313
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners 9,323 995
Food and Beverage Serving Workers 11,957 786
Building Cleaning and Pest Control Workers 5,422 639
Health Technologists and Technicians 5,935 268

Source: JobsEQ

The Northwest region’s community college districts awarded more than 1,100 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 precision production.


Spotlight

Cisco College

  • In fiscal 2018, Cisco College added $123.6 million in income to the Cisco College service area’s economy, equal to about 1.2 percent of the area’s gross product.
  • Cisco College’s total impact supported 1,982 regional jobs, or one out of every 60 jobs in the Cisco College service area.
  • The average associate degree graduate from Cisco College will see an increase in earnings of $8,200 each year compared to a high school graduate or equivalent working in Texas.
  • Cisco College’s biotechnology program provides students hands-on experience with scientific tests, experiments and analyses to prepare for an entry-level position in the rapidly growing biotechnology field.

Summary

Community colleges play a vital role for students and businesses by offering postsecondary education and job training at great value. As the Northwest region’s five community college districts work to address local skills gaps and meet the specific needs of area employers, they support nearly 1,400 jobs and add more than $128 million 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 nearly $200 million 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.