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Jackie Tiro, who has been studying business administration at Norwalk Community College since last year, knows that her education is a good investment.

According to a new report on the college, Fairfield County is seeing the benefit, too.

The report, prepared by Economic Modeling Specialists Inc. of Moscow, Idaho, for the state community college system, found that NCC adds more money to the economy than it takes out, and provides taxpayers a return on their investment.

A study included all 12 community colleges in Connecticut.

"It reassures the taxpayers and the General Assembly that they're making a good investment," said Mary Anne Cox, assistant chancellor of the community college system.

The report found that having former NCC students employed in the region increases income by $511.8 million, stimulating the regional economy.

State taxpayers also benefit, earning a 10.4 percent rate of return on their investment in NCC. About 93 percent of NCC students remain in the state, and each student who enters the work force expands the tax base by generating higher earnings and reducing the dependency on public funds, according to the report.

NCC students add $25.6 million in income annually to the state economy, the report states.

Several NCC students said they plan to stay in Connecticut when they finish their degrees.

State Rep. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, who is on the General Assembly's Education and Higher Education committees, said she

wasn't surprised to hear the results.
Boucher said NCC boosts the region when living costs and gas prices are rising.

"I think that is one place where we actually do receive a benefit or return," Boucher said. "It is one of our last remaining competitive advantages."

The report wasn't a response to looming budget cuts, Cox said. It is good to show the financial benefits of the community college system, Cox said.

NCC President David Levinson said the nursing program is a good example of the report's findings. After two years, graduates enter a competitive job market, earning $65,000 a year or more and provide a crucial service.

"You can't go to Norwalk, Stamford or Greenwich hospitals without coming into contact with one of our nursing students," Levinson said.

The report found that the lifetime earnings of an NCC student will increase $8.10 for every $1 invested in their education, and they can recover all their costs in seven years.

"I can see that, because when you come here you save more money than going to a bigger college or university, but get the same amount of education," said Tiro, 18. "It's good to have a school like this close to home that costs less money."