Coastal Alabama Community College Adds Nearly $360 Million into Local Economy

Coastal Alabama Community College had nearly $360 million in economic impact over Fiscal Year 2023-24, which equates to more than 5,100 jobs, according to a recent report from market analysis company Lightcast. That impact was focused on the college’s service region, which consists of Baldwin, Choctaw, Clarke, Conecuh, Escambia, Mobile, Monroe, Washington and Wilcox counties.
 
“Coastal Alabama benefits society as a whole in Alabama by creating a more prosperous economy and generating a variety of savings through the improved lifestyles of students,” the report said. “The college enriches the lives of students by raising their lifetime earnings and helping them achieve their individual potential.”
 
Since its founding in 1965, Coastal Alabama Community College has grown to include eleven locations, servicing 9 counties in southwest Alabama, and employing 821 full and part-time employees. The college offers more than 120 certificate and degree programs, including Art, Engineering, Nursing, and many more. Additionally, it maintains the Alabama Aviation Center located at Brookley Field. Further, the college offers a robust assortment of workforce development, adult education and community-based courses designed to meet the needs of lifelong learners and the community.
 
During the 2023-24 academic year, the college served 9,203 credit and 4,221 non-credit students, resulting in 857 associate degree graduates and 447 certificate completers. Non-degree seeking students enrolled in workforce or professional development programs accounted for 2,023 students during that time period, and 2,222 high school students were enrolled in dual credit courses.
 
According to the Lightcast report, over a working lifetime, students with an associate degree will see annual earnings that are $8,500 higher than a person with a high school diploma or equivalent which adds up to an undiscounted value of $357,000 in higher earnings per graduate. 
 
In terms of return on the students’ investment, the annual rate of return is 18.6 percent, which is significantly higher than the U.S. stock market’s 30-year average of 10.1 percent.
 
"We have a great responsibility to impact students in southwest Alabama and beyond," Coastal Alabama Community College President, Dr. Aaron Milner, said.  "Serving more than 20% of the land mass of Alabama, our mission to invest in ALL students has provided a clear vision and passion.  We do not take this responsibility lightly."