Community colleges strengthen regional economies and civic life

Since their inception more than a century ago, community colleges have served as a democratizing force in U.S. higher education, rooted in accessible opportunity rather than selective exclusivity. As economic uncertainty, rapid technological change, and rising college costs reshape the landscape, community colleges remain the nation’s front door to the American dream.

According to the American Association of Community Colleges, nearly 40% of U.S. undergraduates study at community colleges. These students reflect the nation’s diversity and resilience. They include adult learners balancing work and family, first-generation students seeking upward mobility, and individuals building new futures. In Illinois, 48 community colleges educate more than 600,000 students annually, strengthening our regional economy.

Although often underestimated, community colleges anchor regional prosperity. A recent Lightcast economic impact study found that for every dollar invested in community colleges, society gains $7 or more in return through increased tax revenue, a skilled workforce, and reduced reliance on public services.

Each year, thousands of students experience this impact at College of DuPage. From health care and manufacturing to cybersecurity and the arts, we offer pathways to family-sustaining careers and seamless transfer opportunities.

Our alumni include nurses, firefighters, chefs, business owners, welders and many others who uplift families and reinforce the civic life of DuPage County.

This local impact reflects a national pattern. Research from the Brookings Institution and Harvard University’s Opportunity Insights shows community colleges play a pivotal role in advancing social mobility. Students who begin at a community college and transfer to a four-year institution graduate at rates comparable to, and often higher than, those who start at universities.

These outcomes come alive in our classrooms. A first-generation nursing graduate enters the workforce without debt. A cybersecurity student earns a one-year certificate and steps into a corporate role. An adult learner returns to college to re-skill and better support their family.

The American workforce is undergoing a profound transformation. The World Economic Forum estimates nearly one quarter of all jobs worldwide will change significantly over the next five years because of automation and artificial intelligence. In the U.S., millions of workers will need to re-skill to remain competitive.

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to meet these evolving needs. We can adapt curricula quickly to align with emerging industry demands. At College of DuPage, we collaborate with employers to design programs that reflect the future of work, so our students are prepared for both the opportunities and challenges of a changing economy.

When student debt dominates the national conversation, community colleges offer a practical path forward. Average annual tuition and fees at a public community college are about $4,300, compared with more than $11,500 at public four-year universities and over $46,000 at private colleges. For many families, the difference determines whether higher education is attainable.

Affordability is about more than dollars. It is about dignity. We work to ensure education remains within reach for veterans, parents, working adults and those from underrepresented communities.

Beyond academics, College of DuPage strengthens civic life through collaborations with workNet DuPage, local school districts, municipalities and nonprofit organizations, helping residents gain training, resources and pathways to opportunity.

The American dream does not come with a guarantee. Each generation must renew it. Supporting community colleges through investment, collaboration and public awareness remains one of the most effective ways to broaden opportunity.

As president of College of DuPage, I see the resilience and ambition of our students daily. Their journeys remind us that the promise of this nation is not that everyone begins in the same place, but that everyone has a fair chance to rise.

Community colleges help make that chance real.

• Dr. Muddassir Siddiqi is president of College of DuPage.