ODESSA, TX — Odessa College is powering the regional economy and delivering an exceptional return on investment for students, taxpayers, and the community, according to a new economic impact report conducted by Lightcast and released in April 2025.
The report finds that Odessa College contributed $395 million in added income to the Odessa College Service Area during the 2022–23 fiscal year—equivalent to supporting 4,684 jobs, or about 1 in every 38 jobs in the region. This represents approximately 1.6% of the total gross regional product (GRP)—a contribution on par with major regional industries such as healthcare.
"Odessa College is not only shaping futures in the classroom—it's driving growth across our entire economy," said Dr. Gregory D. Williams, President of Odessa College. "This report confirms what we’ve always known: investing in education lifts our students, our workforce, and our community as a whole."
From associate degrees and certificates to the recently added bachelor degrees, Odessa College served nearly 15,000 students in FY 2022–23. Graduates with an associate degree earn an average of $9,400 more per year than individuals with only a high school diploma. That added income doesn't just benefit students—it circulates back into the regional economy through spending, taxes, and business growth.
For every dollar students invest in their OC education, they receive $5.20 in lifetime earnings, yielding an 18.6% annual return. Taxpayers see an equally impressive return: $2.60 for every dollar spent, with total public benefits reaching $120.3 million in increased tax revenue and social savings.
OC’s economic impact spans multiple dimensions:
- $8.5 million is added to the local economy due to the impact of Odessa College operations
- Student spending added $24.1 million to the local economy.
- Alumni working in the region generated $356.6 million in added income.
"The numbers speak for themselves," said Dr. Brian Jones, Associate Vice President of Institutional Effectiveness. "Odessa College is not just preparing students for tomorrow—it’s helping drive the economy today."
In a region preparing for an additional 30,000 jobs over the next decade, Odessa College is a key partner in building the skilled workforce West Texas needs. Whether through career and technical training, preparing students to transfer to a university to finish a 4 year degree, entrepreneurship, or continuing education, the college ensures opportunity is within reach for every member of Odessa’s diverse community. To learn more or to read the report in full, please visit: https://www.odessa.edu/about/evidenceofexcellence/economicimpact.html