Communications and External Relations

There are many compelling facts found in an economic study released by JJC Sept. 20 that detail the college’s impact on its district’s residents and local economies.

The study, called The Economic Impact of Joliet Junior College, was prepared by the Northern Illinois University Center for Governmental Studies along with a report on the state community college system for the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB).

Highlights include:

• Nearly 75 percent of area employers hired a JJC student at some point over the past 10 years.
• A 25-year-old JJC graduate can expect total lifetime earnings of $2.1 million, which is 75 percent more than the projected $1.2 million total lifetime earnings if they had not completed the program.
• On average, all students who completed their education in fiscal year 2005 and worked year-round saw a 35 percent increase in earnings over their pre-enrollment wages. According to the study, JJC graduates employed full time averaged $36,160 in annual earnings after completing their programs of study.

“This is proof positive that JJC and its graduates add skills to the area’s workforce and boost the competitiveness of local businesses,” Ryan Smith, vice president of institutional advancement and research, said. “This is more than just statistical research—it’s an affirmation of the positive impact that JJC has on the community.”