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ABOUT THE MARICOPA COUNTY COMMUNITY COLLEGE DISTRICT
For decades, the Maricopa Community Colleges have remained an affordable option for its residents to pursue higher education. And just in recent years, they have begun offering students accredited four-year bachelor's degrees at a greatly reduced cost compared to universities. However, as the demand for a highly trained workforce continues to grow throughout the region it has put stress on the system.
STRENGTHENING OUR WORKFORCE
45 years ago, voters capped the community college district's spending limit based on economic and population conditions at that time. Since then, the district has added four new colleges and has almost tripled the number of students they serve, jumping from 57 thousand to 166 thousand students in that time period and the district no longer receives money from the state legislature for these operations.
Regardless of these challenges the community colleges have continued to partner with our fastest growing industries to ensure our workforce can keep up with the demand.
KEEPING COLLEGE AFFORDABLE
The Maricopa County Community College District is allowed to spend their revenue at a level that is set by the voters. With that in mind, the Community College District is seeking support of the voters to adjust its annual expenditure limit to continue funding their operations.
It is important to understand that this is not a tax increase and will have no impact on resident's current tax rates. In fact, Maricopa County has one of the lowest tax rates in the state and will continue to do so.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
A recent economic impact study found that the total added value of the Maricopa Community Colleges is 7.9 billion a year and supported 108,295 jobs in 2021-22. For perspective, this means that one out of every 28 jobs in Maricopa County is supported by the activities of the colleges and their students.