Oakton College’s Des Plaines campus is closed Tuesday, April 21, due to flooding. Classes will be remote. The Board of Trustees meeting will be held at Oakton’s Skokie campus. More Information
Des Plaines, Ill. (April 20, 2026) — What happens at Oakton College doesn’t stay on campus. A newly released Illinois Community College Board (ICCB) Economic Impact Study demonstrates how Oakton contributes to the regional economy not only as an employer and educator, but as a long-term engine of workforce development and economic mobility.
Based on fiscal year 2023–24 data, the report shows that Oakton generates $572.8 million annually for the District 535 region, which includes 17 communities in northern Cook County. In doing so, the College supports 6,370 jobs — about 1 in every 80 jobs in the area — while driving consumer spending and sustaining local businesses.
“Oakton is the community’s college,” said Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D., Oakton’s president. “Our Vision 2030 strategic plan challenges us to build just and thriving communities. That commitment guides our focus on delivering high-quality education, meeting the evolving needs of our workforce and developing local talent that strengthens our region. The findings of the Economic Impact Study affirm the impact of this work.”
Economic Impact Across the Region
Each year, Oakton serves more than 21,500 students through educational programs and services designed to support learners at every stage of life and education. These include liberal arts and workforce education degrees and certificates, as well as adult and continuing education programs like high school equivalency, English language courses and more.
The ripple effect of their success is most visible in the stories of students who benefited from an Oakton education over the College’s 57-year history. Alums working across the region contribute nearly $479 million annually to the local economy. The largest impact is represented by higher wages earned by Oakton graduates working in the region and the increased productivity they bring to employers.
Oakton itself is a major economic presence, employing more than 1,100 people. Students also play a key role, contributing $17.5 million in spending on housing, food and transportation, supporting an additional 236 jobs in the region.
A Smart Investment for Students and the Community
The study also shows that the value of an Oakton education extends well beyond the workplace. More than 70 percent of students who transfer from Oakton earn a bachelor’s degree. That exceeds the national average by 10 percentage points. For every dollar a student invests in Oakton, they add four times that amount to their earnings potential. That equates to an average annual return of 15.8% on their investment. For every dollar of public money invested in Oakton College, taxpayers will receive $1.30 in return.
About the Study
The study was conducted using data from the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB), Oakton College and Lightcast, incorporating fiscal year 2023–24 academic and financial information, as well as regional labor market data and economic modeling. For more information, please review the Economic Value of Oakton College report or the executive summary.