Imagine America Foundation Releases Civic Engagement Study

Career College Central summary:

While providing skilled workers to the U.S. labor force is a top priority for America’s career colleges, those institutions are doing more far more for their communities than supplying skilled labor. The very concept of a career college is to work in partnership with local businesses to determine the needs of the area's workforce, and develop programs in career fields to create opportunities for those residents wanting to make a difference. But exactly to what degree are career colleges making a difference? And in what areas?
This year, the Imagine America Foundation decided to find out the answers to those questions by commissioning an in-depth research survey on career college civic engagement. The Foundation’s survey involved 34 career education professionals from institutions located in diverse communities throughout the country who answered questions about civic engagement. The participating schools represented three types of institutions: four-year, two-year and less than two-year institutions.
The civic engagement study presents compelling statistics about career colleges and the level of their impact on their local communities. For example, the survey found:
- Career colleges, along with the earnings of their graduates, are estimated to have an annual total direct and indirect economic impact of $71.5 billion.
- Career colleges have an annual net cost to taxpayers of $183 per student, compared with $13,249 per public postsecondary student and $16,669 per private not-for-profit student.
- About 71 percent of all cardiovascular technologists, 54 percent of all diagnostic medical sonographers and 53 percent of all veterinary technology awards were conferred by career colleges in 2010-11.
For more information about our study or how we can help you show your community impact, contact Robert L. Martin, President & CEO of the Imagine America Foundation at 571.267.3012 or bobm@imagine-america.org.

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