The Economic Impact of Salem Community College
Salem Community College (SCC) creates a significant positive impact on the business community and generates a return on investment to its major stakeholder groups—students, taxpayers, and society. Using a two-pronged approach that involves an economic impact analysis and an investment analysis, this study calculates the benefits received by each of these groups. Results of the analysis reflect fiscal year (FY) 2016-17.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT TO STUDENTS, TAXPAYERS, AND SOCIETY
STUDENT PERSPECTIVE
SCC’s FY 2016-17 students paid a total present value of $5.7 million to cover the cost of tuition, fees, supplies, and interest on student loans. They also forwent $8 million in money that they would have earned had they been working instead of learning.
In return for the monies invested in the college, students will receive a present value of $78.6 million in increased earnings over their working lives. This translates to a return of $5.70 in higher future earnings for every dollar that students invest in their education. The average annual return for students is 17.2%.
TAXPAYER PERSPECTIVE
In FY 2016-17, state and local taxpayers in New Jersey paid $5.2 million to support the operations of SCC. The net present value of the added tax revenue stemming from the students’ higher lifetime earnings and the increased output of businesses amounts to $23.9 million in benefits to taxpayers. Savings to the public sector add another $1.9 million in benefits due to a reduced demand for government-funded services in New Jersey.
Dividing benefits to taxpayers by the associated costs yields a 5.0 benefit-cost ratio, i.e., every dollar in costs returns $5.00 in benefits. The average annual return on investment for taxpayers is 11.0%.
SOCIAL PERSPECTIVE
The economic base in New Jersey will grow by $296 million over the course of the students’ working lives. Society will also benefit from $5.2 million in present value social savings related to reduced crime, lower unemployment, and increased health and well-being across the state.
For every dollar that society spent on SCC FY 2016-17 educations, society will receive a cumulative value of $13.20 in benefits, for as long as the FY 2016-17 student population at SCC remains active in the state workforce.
IMPACT ON THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY
During the analysis year, SCC and its students added $37.9 million in income to the Salem County economy, approximately equal to 1.0% of the county’s total gross regional product (GRP). SCC’s impact supported 552 jobs in FY 2016-17. For perspective, this means that one out of every 51 jobs in Salem County is supported by the activities of SCC and its students.
OPERATIONS SPENDING IMPACT
- SCC employed 202 full-time and part-time employees in FY 2016-17. Payroll amounted to $6.9 million, much of which was spent in Salem County to purchase groceries, clothing, and other household goods and services. The college spent another $5 million to support its day-to-day operations.
- The net impact of college payroll and expenses in Salem County during the analysis year was approximately $7.3 million in income.
STUDENT SPENDING IMPACT
- Around 29% of credit students attending SCC originated from outside the county. Some of these students relocated to Salem County. In addition, a number of students would have left the county if not for SCC. These relocated and retained students spent money on groceries, transportation, rent, and so on at county businesses.
- The expenditures of relocated and retained students during the analysis year added approximately $199.7 thousand in income to the Salem County economy.
FACT SHEET PDF
Salem Community College creates a significant positive impact on the business community and generates a return on investment to its major stakeholder groups—students, taxpayers, and society. Using a two-pronged approach that involves an economic impact analysis and an investment analysis, this study calculates the benefits to each of these groups for Fiscal Year (FY) 2016-2017.
MAIN REPORT PDF
This report assesses the impact of SCC on the local economy and the benefits generated by the college for students, taxpayers, and society. The results of this study show that SCC creates a positive net impact on the regional economy and generates a positive return on investment for students, taxpayers, and society.
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY REPORT
SCC creates value in many ways. The college plays a key role in helping students increase their employability and achieve their individual potential. It provides students with the skills they need to have a fulfilling and prosperous career. Further, it supplies an environment for students to meet new people, increase their self-confidence, and promote their overall health and well-being.
