DCC Announces Findings of 50-Year Socio-Economic Impact Study

Release date October 17, 2007

Poughkeepsie, N.Y. -- Dr. D. David Conklin, president of Dutchess Community College, today announced the results of a recently completed study that defines the College’s socio-economic impact on Dutchess County over the past 50 years.

         The study, conducted by CCBenefits Inc. of Moscow, Idaho, determined that the Dutchess County economy is $807.4 million stronger annually as a direct result of DCC’s past and current impact on the county. According to Dr. Conklin, this figure represents 7.5% of Dutchess County’s total income each year. “Since we first opened our doors in 1957, the College has been serving our local community by first and foremost providing access to a quality education for everyone in the county,” said Dr. Conklin.  “In addition, DCC has also provided employment opportunities for county residents, and has sent over 33,000 educated alumni into the workforce.” According to the study, over the past 50 years, this workforce has accounted for $421 million in earnings and $387 million in property income for the current Dutchess County economy.

         For every dollar invested in a DCC student’s education by state and local government, there is a cumulative return of $26.60 at the end of the student’s working career, stated Dr. Conklin.  There is also a rate of return of 15% on the county’s and state’s investment in the College.

         Dr. Conklin said the College is also responsible for $34 million in expenditures by staff and the purchases of goods and services for the College. According to the study, out-of-county students attending DCC spent $5.3 million in the Dutchess County economy. Income from taxes is $32.2 million annually.

         DCC is the college of choice for Dutchess County residents.  According to Dr. Conklin, 12% of the county’s 17- to 29-year-olds attend DCC.  “That’s impressive because it is the highest student participation rate for any of the State University of New York community colleges,” noted Dr. Conklin. Students see a great return on their investment as well according to the study. The average income of a DCC graduate, who has earned his or her associate’s degree, is $44,600.  This is 39% more than the income for a high school graduate.  Students also see an annual income increase of $159 for every credit completed at DCC, and throughout his or her working career, a student’s life income increases by $5.80 for every $1 invested, including the cost of tuition, fees and books, and income lost as they attend college. Graduates with an associate’s degree also enjoy a 17.8% rate of return on their DCC educational investment, recovering all costs in eight years.      

              Kjell Christophersen, president of CCbenefits Inc., said his company applies a comprehensive economic model to capture and quantify the economic benefits generated by a college and translates them into common sense benefit/cost and investment terms. The study includes two major analyses. The regional economic growth analysis measures added county income due to the daily activities of the College, students spending, and the cumulative effects of the College’s past students in the county workforce since the College’s establishment.  The investment analysis focuses on the College’s current student body by projecting annual benefits out into the future and measuring the return on investment from the perspective of students, state and local taxpayers, and society as a whole.

             However, the DCC study was a first of its kind for CCbenefits. "This is the first 50-year analysis that we've done for a community college,” said Christophersen. “The study validates that Dutchess Community College has been, and will continue to be, a vital economic force in Dutchess County and in the State of New York by providing educational opportunities to area residents, promoting economic development, and supplying a well-trained workforce to business and industry,” added Christophersen. 

             Dr. Conklin said the socio-economic impact study was commissioned as part of the College’s 50th anniversary taking place during the 2007-2008 academic year.  Funding for the study was provided through a donation by The Dyson Foundation.   

              Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college that is celebrating its 50th anniversary of excellence and service to the residents of Dutchess County.  It is part of the State University of New York and is one of 30 community colleges in the state system. The College offers a wide variety of university-parallel programs, as well as career programs in major technical, human service, and business area.

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