An economic impact study done for Cowley College analyzing its 2021-2022 fiscal year showed alumni generated $179.4 million in added income for the regional economy, the equivalent of supporting 2,582 jobs. That is one of several findings in he study done by Lightcast for the junior college, according to a press release. Other findings include (1) Graduates with an associates degree from earned $14,000 more per year compared to Kansas with just a high school diploma. (2) Cowley injected $203.5 million into the Cowley College regional service area economy that supported 3,071 regional jobs, using the jobs-to-sales ratios specific to each industry in the region. (3) The annual payroll and other spending generates $20.3 million in added income. (4) Daily spending of Cowley students attracted to or retained in the region generates $3.8 million. (5) For every $1 invested, taxpayers gain $2.20 in added tax revenue and public sector savings, while society benefits $8 in added income and social savings. During the study period, Cowley had 3,619 credit students, 1,710 non-credit students, and 373 full and part-time employees. This analysis used data from Cowley academic and financial reports, the Kansas Board of Regents, industry and employment statistics from sources such as U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau.
Source: Cowley CourierTraveler
