Texas community colleges produce significant returns for students, as well as the state's economy and taxpayers, a survey released Tuesday showed.

The study, published by the Texas Association of Community Colleges, found that over the next 30 years, community college students will receive $9.05 in higher future earnings for every $1 they spend on education.

"We have lots of anecdotal testimony from individuals, but needed quantitative data to show the total impact of ACC on the community," Austin Community College president Richard W. Fonté said. "This study proves that an educated population makes more money, pays more in taxes and is less likely to be a burden on state benefit programs such as welfare and unemployment."

Community colleges also stimulate the state's economy by $13.5 billion, according to the study, through college payrolls themselves and the value of working college graduates.

"Measured broadly, taking into account all of the earnings of community college students and the avoided costs, state and local governments are getting a return of $18 for every dollar invested over the next 30 years," TACC president Bill Crowe said.

State Comptroller Carole Keeton Rylander said a survey done on higher education by her office in 2001 found a $5 return for every dollar the state spent, but it did not include money created by the "ripple effect." Rylander added that the Office of the Comptroller will update its survey.

"I have said repeatedly that my number one goal was developing an educated work force," Rylander said. "There is nothing more important for that than community colleges."

Texas has 50 community college districts, covering 95 percent of the state's population.

"Community colleges are integral to every community and important for there to be high-paying, high-tech jobs all across the state," Rylander said.

Rey Garcia, TACC executive director, said the results demonstrate that, based on a number of perspectives, investing in Texas community colleges is sound.

"They enrich the lives of students, contribute to the vitality of both local and state economies and to the education of its citizens, " Garcia said. "Basically, the state makes its investment back several times over."

The positive results of the study warrant increased funding for higher education, ACC's Fonté said.

The Legislature appropriated $1.57 billion to community colleges for the 2002-2003 fiscal year.

Garcia said the TACC plans to ask the Legislature to follow the Texas Higher Education Coord-inating Board's recommendation of a $300 million to $400 million increase for the 2004-2005 fiscal year. He cited several reasons for the additional funding, including $125 million required to keep up with increasing enrollment, funding needed for state programs and increases in the cost of higher education.

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