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

Upper Rio Grande 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 six counties in the Upper Rio Grande region — one of 12 economic regions defined by the Comptroller’s office — include one community college district, El Paso Community College.

List of community college districts in the Upper Rio Grande region

  • El Paso
    Community
    College

Regional Impact of Community Colleges’ spending, Fiscal 2019

Employment

2,085

Output

$192.1 million

Compensation

$91.8 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 Upper Rio Grande region with some college or associate degrees and stable jobs earned an average of $6,090 more annually than high school graduates.


Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Upper Rio Grande Region, 2018

Average Annual Earnings by Educational Attainment, Upper Rio Grande Region, and Texas, 2018
Educational Attainment Average Annual Earnings, Region
Less than high school $32,989
High school or equivalent, no college $40,037
Some college or associate degree $46,127
Bachelor’s degree or advanced degree $61,820
Educational attainment not available $22,516
Total $41,659

Average overall: $41,659

 Source: U.S. Census Bureau and JobsEQ

Average wage Increase Over High School or Equivalent

$6,090

Number of workers, Some College or Associate Degree

72,282

Total Regional additional wages

$440.2 million

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



Certificates and Degrees

Top Certificates and Degrees, Upper Rio Grande Region

Top Certificates and Degree Awards in the Upper Rio Grande Region’s Community Colleges, 2017-18 School Year
Certificates and Degrees Number Awarded
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities 2,685
Health Professions and Related Clinical Sciences 1,923
Mechanic and Repair Technologies/Technicians 576
Business, Management, Marketing and Related Support Services 530
Engineering Technologies/Technicians 438

Source: JobsEQ

Regional Employment Needs

Fastest growing Occupations, Upper Rio Grande Region

Fastest growing Occupations, Upper Rio Grande Region
Occupation Total Employed 5-Year Employment Change
Other Personal Care and Service Workers 13,243 3,584
Food and Beverage Serving Workers 21,779 3,223
Health Diagnosing and Treating Practitioners 13,409 2,196
Motor Vehicle Operators 13,388 2,165
Construction Trades Workers 13,599 1,886

Source: JobsEQ

The Upper Rio Grande region’s one community college district awarded more than 3,500 certificates and associate degrees in health professions in the 2017-18 school year; the next most-common award areas were general studies and liberal arts and mechanic and repair technologies.


Spotlight

EL PASO COMMUNITY COLLEGE

  • The new Transportation Training Center at El Paso Community College (EPCC) will train El Paso’s future workforce in the high-demand career fields of diesel technology, automotive technology and auto collision repair.
  • EPCC also offers a Cisco Networking Academy, which guides students toward certification as Cisco Certified Network Associates.
  • To meet local needs, EPCC provides a Border Health Issues enhanced skills certificate, which teaches students to work as members of multidisciplinary teams to address the unique health care challenges of U.S./Mexico border communities.

Summary

Community colleges play a vital role for students and businesses by offering postsecondary education and job training at great value. As El Paso Community College works to address local skills gaps and meet the needs of area employers, it supports more than 2,000 jobs and adds more than $192 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 more than $440 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.