MiraCosta Community College generates a total economic impact of $338.4 million to San Diego County’s Gross Regional Product annually – enough to support 5,041 jobs in its service area, according to a new report from an Idaho-based firm that specializes in analyzing the economic impact of colleges and universities.

“As chair of the California Community Colleges Task Force on Workforce, Job Creation and a Strong Economy, I have had the opportunity to see firsthand the important role that community colleges up and down the state play in keeping our economy growing, and this report underscores how MiraCosta College is helping to set the path,” said Dr. Sunita “Sunny” Cooke, superintendent/president of the MiraCosta Community College District.

The Emsi study found that for every dollar of public money invested in MiraCosta, taxpayers are receiving a return of $1.80 in benefits via higher earnings and increased business output.

Other highlights of the newly released study:

• MiraCosta employs more than 1,000 full-time and part-time employees.
• A student who earns an associate degree from MiraCosta College will see an increase in earnings of $11,700 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma. Over a working lifetime, this increase in earnings amounts to an estimated $456,300.
• Students educated at MiraCosta College are yielding a total savings of $39.8 million in benefits derived from reduced law enforcement, welfare, unemployment and other related social costs.

“MiraCosta College is proud to be having such a profound impact in our community,” said Dr. David Broad, president of the MiraCosta College Board of Trustees. “We are serving the business community through increased consumer spending and building a trained workforce prepared for the rapid changes occurring in our economy. We are serving students by raising their earnings potential and by preparing them to transfer to a four-year college or university. And we are serving the taxpayers by providing a strong return on their investment.”

MiraCosta College is continuing to grow and expand programs to serve an even larger segment of the North San Diego population. Next fall, for example, MiraCosta will become the first community college in California to offer a bachelor of science degree in biomanufacturing. The college recently partnered with the Veterans Association of North County and Carlsbad-based ViaSat to create a new electronic assembly course that will prepare folks for jobs as electronic assemblers at advanced manufacturing companies. And, since January 1, 2015, the Small Business Development Center hosted by MiraCosta College has seen nearly 4,500 people take part in its training sessions, including 1,536 members of minority communities and 551 military veterans.