Although it’s not always immediately obvious, when it comes to dollars and cents, colleges definitely make a lot of sense, not only for the communities where they are situated, but also for the students whom they serve.

According to a labor market study, the South Orange County Community College District adds about $2 billion in immediate income impact to the Orange County economy and a long-term social benefit of about $4.6 billion when future earnings of graduated students and other benefits are factored in.

For context, the $2 billion impact accounts for about 0.7% of the total gross regional product of Orange County. That is nearly as large as the entire utilities industry in the county, according to the report.

“The economic impact figures underscore our district’s vital role in fu

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