Economic Impact

Educating the workforce, improving lives and powering the regional economy.

Home Why Los Rios? Economic Impact

The Economic Impact of the Los Rios Community College District

The Los Rios Community College District, comprised of American River College, Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College, and Sacramento City College, creates a significant positive impact on the community by providing a skilled workforce and increasing the economic base of the region.

Economic Impact: The Result

Los Rios creates value from multiple perspectives:

Benefits for Local Business

Increased consumer spending
More skilled workers

Benefits for Taxpayers

Increased tax receipts
Reduced demand for government-supported social services

Benefits for Student

Raises lifetime earnings
Helps achieve individual potential

Benefits for Society

A more prosperous economy
Less spent on social welfare programs because of improving student lifestyles

Students

The education and training Los Rios provides for regional residents results in the greatest impact. Los Rios enriches the lives of students by raising their lifetime earnings and helping them achieve their individual potential.

Student Rate of Return

Investment in education vs. other portfolio tools:

The average annual return on investment for Los Rios students is 12.8%, compared to 10.1% average stock market annual return and .8% total interest earned on savings accounts

* Forbes’ S&P 500, 1987-2016.
**FDIC.gov, 7-2017.

Alumni Impact

$1.5 billion added income to the Sacramento region.

Earnings

Average earning by education level at career midpoint in California:

Less than high school: $24,400
High school: $31,800
College certificate: $37,000
Associate degree: $42,900

Community

Los Rios serves a range of industries in the region, supports local businesses, and benefits society as a whole in California from an expanded economy and improved quality of life.

Return on Investment to Students, Taxpayers, and Society

Top Industries Impacted by Los Rios

Government: $508.8 million supports 3,431 jobs.
Hospitality (Accommodation, Tourism, and Food Service): $149.9 million supports 2,866 jobs.
Healthcare and Social Assistance: $133.9 million supports 1,662 jobs.

Infographic: Los Rios provides $2.1 billion in added income that supports 27,415 jobs. This contribution is nearly as larged as the entire utilities industry in the region and is equal to 1.7% of GDP of the Los Rios service area

District

The basic mission of Los Rios is to foster growth. Every year, a new cohort of former Los Rios students adds to the knowledge and skills in the college's service area, and a proportion of alumni continues to add to the Los Rios service area economy.

Los Rios By the Numbers

Race and Ethnicity

While over one-third of Los Rios students identify as white, more than one-quarter identify as Hispanic/Latino.

The racial/ethnic breakdown of Los Rios students: 34.4% are white; 30% are Hispanic/Latino; 19.5% are Pacific Islander; 8.4% are African American; 7.2% are multi-race; and .5% are Native American

Age

More than half of Los Rios students are between 18 and 24 years old, and almost one-third are between 25 and 39 years old.

The age breakdown of Los Rios students: 30.5% are 18 to 20 years old; 20.6% are 21 to 24 years old; 14.5% are 25 to 29 years old; 17.5% are 30 to 39 years old; 12.6% are 40 and over; and 4.3% are under 18

Socioeconomic Status

Nearly one-quarter of Los Rios students live below the poverty line, and almost another quarter are low-income.

The socioeconomic breakdown of Los Rios student: 24.7% live below the poverty line; 22.2% are low income; 38% are middle class; and 15.1% are unable to determine

This economic impact report was based on a state-of-the-art research model developed by Economic Modeling Specialists, Inc. (EMSI), an international consulting and research institute. The study examined data from the 2015-16 fiscal year.