Getting a degree from Carl Sandburg College is a boost for students and the area economy. A study released last fall from Northern Illinois University’s Center for Governmental Studies found that Sandburg and the state’s 47 other community colleges are key sources of revenue and employment for the areas they serve, contributing millions of dollars and hundreds of jobs each year.
Graduates earn more, have a high rate of employment
According to the report, the return on investment over a 40-year working life for students who earn a degree from Sandburg is estimated to total about $610,000 more than someone who does not go on to attend community college.
The report also found that Sandburg graduates have a high rate of employment soon after they finish their studies. More than 80% of students who completed a long-term certificate or Associate in Applied Science program at Sandburg were employed in career jobs within a year of graduation. That figure jumped to 91% for students 10 years after graduation. The employment rates among post-traditional graduates also were strong. Among completers ages 25-39, 83% were employed in career jobs six months after graduating, and those over age 39 had an 85% employment rate.
Educational attainment up among numerous demographics
The report also found that the percentage of those 25 and over in Sandburg’s district whose educational attainment included some college or associate degree increased from 2010-19, rising from 31% to 34%. Educational attainment during that timeframe also increased for those 25 and older who identified as white (up 3 points to 34%), Black (up 1 point to 32%) and Latinx (up 1 point to 21%).
Fulfilling a need for high-demand occupations
Sandburg has several programs — particularly those in medical professions — for occupations that often require a certificate or license and are expected to remain in high demand through the next decade, according to the study. Sandburg offers a course for certified nursing assistant (CNA), a certificate program for medical assisting and associate in applied science programs for licensed practical nursing and registered nursing, which are expected to have hundreds of openings annually within the district. These programs provide a reliable backbone for area employers in search of qualified job candidates.
Sandburg contributes $18M to regional economy
In addition to providing qualified, workforce-ready graduates, Sandburg’s employee presence also is a major contributor to the economy in and around its district. In fiscal year 2020, Sandburg directly employed more than 300 staff members with a total payroll of $7.2 million. These direct impacts ripple through the economy, creating additional jobs, payrolls and other commercial activity in the area and across Illinois. The report found that the total economic output of Sandburg on the region’s economy in fiscal year 2020 was estimated at $18 million and 342 jobs. Producing Workforce-Ready Graduates and Contributing to the Economy Employment & Economic Boost
To recruit Sandburg talent for jobs and internships at your organization, contact Tracy Engstrom, coordinator of career development, at tengstrom@sandburg.edu.
Read this story and others in the 2022 edition of the Sandburg Magazine