MCC Makes Positive Impact on Mass. Economy

A recently released report revealed that Middlesex Community College has strengthened the Massachusetts economy and generated $358.7 million for the economy with the college’s well-prepared and knowledgeable graduates and lucrative financial investments.

For 50 years, MCC has been a valuable institution to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. With a mission to help every student reach success, Middlesex has served 26,000+ alumni and educates 12,000 credit and noncredit students every year.

“MCC reshapes students’ academic, professional and personal lives by offering affordable, high-quality courses, resources and opportunities for a diverse population,” said Dr. James C. Mabry, MCC’s President. “A leader of STEM, health and other fields, Middlesex trains future employees to impact our futures. This recent report solidifies the importance of our role in making a positive and meaningful difference to our service area.”

The benefits of MCC’s economic impact affect many across the Commonwealth. Students who paid for college – including additional fees, supplies and interest on loans – will increase their future earnings for the duration of their careers. Because of their investment in their education, the annual rate of return for students is 20.9 percent, $5.70 for every dollar students invested – for a total of $324.5 million.

Both students and numerous alumni who stay in MCC’s service area after graduating impact the economy in a positive way due to living costs and entering the local workforce. While students added $7.9 million in income to the service area, Middlesex alumni accounted for $291.7 million for being employed in the Commonwealth.

MCC Trustees Chairman James Campbell said the report affirmed what he has known for decades. “We have seen the dramatic impact that Middlesex has had on downtown Lowell, but this report details how expansive an impact the college has had on not just our surrounding communities, but the Commonwealth of Massachusetts,” Campbell said. “This is a tremendous validation of the work our students, staff and faculty have invested into the workforce of Massachusetts.”

In 2018-2019, Middlesex supported 3,864 jobs. MCC’s spending impact is reflected in a report recently released by Emsi depicting how much was spent on running the college, paying employees, funding construction, and the amount current students and alumni spend in living expenses. Emsi is a labor market analytics firm that integrates data from a wide variety of sources to serve professionals in higher education, economic development, workforce development, talent acquisition and site selection.

On the operations side, MCC’s 961full- and part-time employees account for $46.7 million in payroll. Employees then invest the money back into the economy by paying for groceries, housing, dining and other expenses. The college itself also invests in maintaining facilities, supplies and services for its community. In construction, the college spent $1.9 million to maintain and grow its campuses – generating both money and jobs.

Mass. taxpayers provide Middlesex with funding and in return receive higher lifetime earnings and increased business output of $88.3 million with another $6 million with reduced demand for government-funded services. Taxpayers get $2.50 for every dollar they invested in the college, an average annual rate of return being 7.4 percent.

Society’s investment in MCC will grow the economy by $1.1 billion for the duration of these students’ professional lives. They also receives $13 million in savings and receive $11.20 for every dollar invested.

Whether by starting students’ academic careers, providing professional development to employees of local businesses, or maintaining its influence on the Commonwealth – Middlesex makes a progressive impact on the economy.

Visit www.middlesex.mass.edu or call 1-800-818-3434 for more information on the college.

Discover your path at Middlesex Community College. As one of the largest, most comprehensive community colleges in Massachusetts, MCC has been a proven leader in online education for more than 20 years. We educate, engage and empower a diverse community of learners, offering more than 80 degree and certificate programs – plus hundreds of noncredit courses. Middlesex Community College: Student success starts here!