Where Education Goes to Work

Education changes lives. It also strengthens businesses, builds the workforce and creates economic opportunity throughout our region.

A new economic impact study from Lightcast shows Eastern Iowa Community Colleges generated $709.7 million in added income across Cedar, Clinton, Jackson, Louisa, Muscatine and Scott counties in fiscal year 2024-25.

That impact is equal to approximately 3.3% of the region’s total gross regional product and supports 9,036 jobs.

Put another way:

1 out of every 22 jobs in our region is supported by the activities of EICC and its students.

Read the Executive Summary   Explore the Full Report

$709.7 Million. One Regional Impact. 

EICC’s economic impact reaches far beyond our classrooms. 

The college employs people, purchases goods and services, attracts and retains students who spend money throughout the region, and — most importantly — prepares people with the knowledge and skills that help businesses grow. 

Together, those impacts added $709.7 million in income to the regional economy in fiscal year 2024-25. 

  $651.6 MILLION | ALUMNI IMPACT  

This is where EICC makes its greatest economic difference. 

Students leave EICC with new knowledge and skills, enter or re-enter the workforce and become more productive employees. Their increased earnings and the added productivity of the businesses that employ them generated $651.6 million in added income during the year. 

  $41.4 MILLION | OPERATIONS SPENDING IMPACT  

EICC is also an employer and a buyer of goods and services. 

The college employed 628 full- and part-time faculty and staff in fiscal year 2024-25, with $39.1 million in payroll and benefits. EICC’s operations spending generated $41.4 million in added regional income. 

 $16.8 MILLION | STUDENT SPENDING IMPACT  

 Students contribute to the economy while they learn here, too. 

About 22% of EICC credit students came from outside the region. Other local students may have left the area to pursue their education if EICC were not here. 

The spending of those relocated and retained students on housing, groceries, transportation and other expenses generated $16.8 million in added income. 

Education That Works for Employers 

EICC works alongside regional employers to prepare students for careers, strengthen the skills of current employees and respond to changing workforce needs. 

From career and technical education and customized workforce training to continuing education, transfer pathways and short-term credentials, EICC connects people with opportunity — and employers with the talent they need. 

The result is a stronger workforce, more productive businesses and an economy better prepared for what comes next. 

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Workforce Training for Employers
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About the Study

Eastern Iowa Community Colleges partnered with Lightcast to measure the college’s economic impact and return on investment. 

The study reflects EICC student, employee and financial data from fiscal year 2024-25 and examines EICC from two perspectives: 

• Economic impact analysis measures the added income and jobs generated through EICC operations, student spending and alumni working throughout the region. 
• Investment analysis evaluates the return EICC generates for students, taxpayers and society. 

The analysis draws from EICC academic and financial data, industry and employment information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau, Lightcast’s Multi-Regional Social Accounting Matrix model and additional research related to education and social outcomes. The study uses a conservative methodology and reports net economic impacts rather than gross impacts. 

Explore the Economic Impact Study 

• See EICC's impact at a glance. 
  Download Inforgraphic
• Dig into the key numbers behind the study. 
  Download Fact Sheet
• Explore the major findings and return on investment. 
  Download Executive Summary
• Read the complete analysis, findings and supporting data. 
  Download Full Economic Impact Report
• Learn how Lightcast calculated the economic impact and investment return. 
  Learn about the Study Methodology

For Students. For Employers. For Our Region. 

EICC’s impact is measured in millions of dollars and thousands of jobs. 

But behind every number is something even more important: a student building a future, an employee gaining a new skill, an employer finding the talent to grow and a community becoming stronger. 

That’s where education goes to work. 

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