Study shows Eastern Iowa Community Colleges’ economic impact on region

A new study reveals the economic impact Eastern Iowa Community Colleges have on the region.

The colleges partnered with Lightcast to measure economic impact and return on investment. The study shows EICC student, employee and financial data from fiscal year 2024-25, examining EICC from two perspectives. Economic impact analysis measures the added income and jobs generated through EICC operations, student spending and alumni working throughout the region. Investment analysis evaluates the return EICC generates for students, taxpayers and society.

According to the study, the impacts added $709.7 million in income to the area in fiscal year 2024-25. Alumni impact adds up to $651.6 million, the equivalent of supporting 8,179 jobs or the economic impact of hosting the Super Bowl twice. That figure is the result of increased earnings for employees and added productivity for businesses.

The colleges employ 628 full and part-time faculty and staff, with $39.1 million in payroll and benefits for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Operations spending generated $41.4 million in additional regional income, enough to buy 875 new cars.

EICC students also contribute to the local economy. Spending on housing, groceries, transportation and other expenses generate $16.8 in income, the equivalent of supporting 246 jobs or enough to buy a year’s worth of groceries for 1,143 families of four.

The study showed that for $1 spent on education, students gain $6.20 in higher lifetime earnings, while taxpayers gain $1.90 in added tax revenue and public sector savings and society gains $9.10 in added income and social savings.

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