New study reveals economic impact of Arizona Western College
September 15, 2025Institution generates more tax revenue than it takes
Yuma, Ariz. (September 15, 2025) – A recent study revealed the profound economic benefit that Arizona Western College brings to Yuma and La Paz counties. Thanks to Lightcast, a frontrunner in labor market data, the institution now has access to concrete, data-driven insights that highlight its positive impact on students and alumni, the community, taxpayers, and the region at large.
"We are proud to share the results of the Lightcast study, which highlight the tremendous impact Arizona Western College has on our regional economy,” said AWC President Dr. Daniel Corr. “These findings represent AWC’s dedication to transforming lives through education and truly demonstrate that we are a college of the community.”
Based on financial data from the 2023-2024 fiscal year, the Lightcast study found that AWC added $319.2 million to the income of Yuma and La Paz counties, accounting for 3.2% of the total gross regional product. These numbers represent the benefits that AWC brings to local industry and businesses through operational spending, consumer spending, and alumni impact.
Represented in terms of jobs, roughly one out of every 23 jobs in Yuma and La Paz counties is supported by the activities of AWC and its students.
"This economic impact study is a public accountability tool for college districts,” said Lorraine Stofft, Vice President for Advancement and Executive Director of the AWC Foundation. “It's a way to demonstrate to our neighbors that your publicly funded college is delivering a benefit to the region. And AWC is delivering in a big way, in terms of increased earnings, business productivity, and tax revenue.”
A key finding from the survey highlights the impressive annual return on investment that students gain from their time at AWC, which comes out to 16.2% on average. This means that for every $1.00 AWC students invest in their education, they will receive approximately $4.80 in higher future earnings. Additionally, students who earn an associate degree from AWC can expect to earn approximately $7,300 in annual wages more than someone with a high school diploma.
“Our students are the mission,” said Dr. Reetika Dhawan, Arizona Western Entrepreneurial College Chief Executive Officer and Vice President of Workforce & Healthcare Programs. “The recent economic impact study proved that our efforts to provide quality education and industry-specific training are leading to the success of not only our students but our community at large.”
Finally, the study discovered that AWC generates more tax revenue than it uses. For every $1.00 of public money invested in the institution, taxpayers will receive $1.10 in return, which can then be reinvested back into the community. From a broader social perspective, the study found that for every $1.00 Arizona invested in AWC during the 2023-24 fiscal year, the state will see a return of over $6.00 in added economic growth over the course of students’ careers—totaling $876.3 million. This highlights how investing in an AWC education not only benefits individual students but also strengthens the state’s economy for years to come.
Overall, the Lightcast study underscores AWC’s critical role as an economic engine for the region, driving job creation, individual success, and long-term value for taxpayers. These findings reaffirm AWC’s commitment to delivering education that empowers students and uplifts the entire community.
A complete breakdown of the Lightcast economic impact study can be found here.
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About Lightcast:
Lightcast is a leading provider of economic impact studies and labor market data to educational institutions, workforce planners, and regional developers in the U.S. and internationally. Since 2000, Lightcast has completed over 3,000 economic impact studies for educational institutions in three countries.
Lightcast provides colleges and universities with labor market data that help create better outcomes for students, businesses, and communities. Our data, which cover more than 99% of the U.S. workforce, are compiled from a wide variety of government sources, job postings, and online profiles and résumés. Hundreds of institutions use Lightcast to align programs with regional needs, drive enrollment, connect students with in-demand careers, track their alumni’s employment outcomes, and demonstrate their institution’s economic impact on their region. Visit lightcast.io/solutions/education to learn more or connect with us.
Contact:
Lorraine Stofft
Vice President of Advancement
Arizona Western College
lorraine.stofft@azwestern.edu
(928) 314-9595