Economic Impact
Ocean County College generates a significant economic impact in the region. In fiscal year 2024, OCC added approximately $355.8 million in income to the Ocean County economy. That level of activity supports about 4,849 jobs in the county. Another way to think about that impact is that one out of every 69 jobs in Ocean County is supported by the activities of OCC and its students.
$0
Annual economic impact added to Ocean County
0
Jobs supported in Ocean County
1 in 0
Jobs in Ocean County supported by OCC and its students
Impacts created by OCC in FY 2023–2024
The largest portion of OCC's economic impact comes from our alumni who live and work in Ocean County.
Former OCC students, our alumni, currently in the workforce generate about $291 million in added income each year through the skills and education they gained here.
Every dollar invested in OCC yields
Your investment
$1.00Taxpayer revenue & public sector savings
Additional income & social savings
For every dollar of public money invested in OCC, taxpayers receive about $1.90 in added tax revenue and reduced public service costs over time. And when you look at the broader benefits to society — including higher earnings, economic growth, and social benefits — the return increases to about $7.50 for every dollar invested. The benefits of this investment will occur for as long as OCC's FY2023–2024 students remain employed in the state workforce.
Student Perspective
4.7x
For every dollar students invest in OCC in the form of out-of-pocket expenses and forgone time and money, they will receive a cumulative value of $4.70 in higher future earnings.
$322,500
Over a working lifetime, the benefits of an associate degree over a high school diploma will amount to an undiscounted value of $322,500 in higher earnings per graduate.
Students see a high rate of return for their investment in OCC
Average annual return for OCC students
14.9%
Stock market 30-year average annual return
10.9%
Interest earned on savings account (national deposit rate)
0.5%
Source: Forbes' S&P 500, 1994–2025; FDIC.gov, January 2024
Social Perspective
Society as a whole in New Jersey benefits from the presence of OCC in two major ways. Primarily, society benefits from an increased economic base in the state. This is attributed to the added income from students' increased lifetime earnings and increased business output, which raise economic prosperity in New Jersey.
Altogether, the social benefits of OCC equal a present value of $751.2 million — including $462.4 million in added student income, $194.2 million in added business income, $67.3 million in added income from college activities, as well as $27.3 million in social savings related to health, the justice system, and income assistance in New Jersey.
For every dollar invested in OCC, people in New Jersey will receive a cumulative value of $7.50 in benefits. The benefits of this investment will occur for as long as OCC's FY 2023-24 students remain employed in the state workforce.
$462.4 million
Added student income
$194.2 million
Added business income
$67.3 million
Added income from college activities
$27.3 million
Social savings
Total benefits to society
$751.2 million
Present value of benefits generated by OCC for New Jersey
Source: Lightcast impact model