Community college is a life-changing experience that can boost incomes for students who earn certificates or associate degrees.
The Boston Foundation and MassINC drew this conclusion in their report, “Pathways to Economic Mobility: Identifying the Labor Market Value of Community College in Massachusetts” released on June 10.
The report presents data on the impact of community college on earnings and employment in Massachusetts – including an increase of as much as $14,000 annually in salary in some fields.
The study notes that the Commonwealth’s 15 community colleges, including North Shore Community College, had the unenviable status of being characterized as “the orphan of the orphan” due to their lack of prominence in policy or budget discussions at the state and federal level.
That characterization was made in a previous study conducted in 2011. Since then, North Shore has led the way among community colleges to roll out technology and health science study disciplines geared to prepare students.
Former North Shore President Dr. Patricia Gentile and Interim President Dr. Nate Bryant, forged relationships with communities in which its campuses are located, including Lynn, where strong ties bind the college to local high schools.
Dr. William Heineman, who was named North Shore’s president in April, is sure to build on Gentile’s and Bryant’s work by drawing on his experience as Northern Essex Community College’s provost.
During their tenures, Gentile and Bryant demonstrated adeptness in understanding that food insecurity, work demands, childcare, transportation and financial challenges are pressures bearing down on students.
“Today we know that too many students in our region, particularly low-income and students of color, face obstacles well beyond any academic challenge that make pursuit of these dreams a logistical steeplechase,” stated Paul S. Grogan, president and CEO of The Boston Foundation in the study.
The study points out that simply by attending community college, women can boost their income by $1,550 a year. That income boost increases by $8,000 a year for women who earn a certificate or associate degree at a community college.
Men who earn a community college degree see income boosts ranging from $5,500-$9,000 annually, according to the study.
Income boosts are even higher for students enrolled in healthcare courses, and North Shore Community College has been diligent — even during the pandemic — in developing and offering healthcare courses.
By pointing to community college as a pathway to economic mobility, The Boston Foundation and MassINC are presenting solutions to a problem identified 10 years ago.
“We and many others in the business and civic communities were concerned about the mismatch between the middle-skilled jobs that were going unfilled and the opportunities that higher education — especially community colleges—held for workers preparing for those jobs,” stated Grogan.
North Shore Community College is a perfect example of an institution providing people with an open door to opportunity on the pathway of higher education.
