Through innovative partnerships and programs, EPCC is increasing economic mobility with initiatives that focus on workforce development, educational pathways, and student success. The college is nationally recognized for its impact, including most recently being ranked by Washington Monthly as one of the top five community colleges in the nation for Hispanic Students. The ranking was a result of the college’s results in advancing upward economic mobility and graduation rates. From creating a college-going culture through dual enrollment program, to graduating more than 115,000 students—55,000 (52 percent) which have been awarded since 2012—EPCC is increasing credential attainment in our region.
The median income of high school graduates in El Paso in 2022 was $33,416 while the median income for individuals with some college or an associate degree was $38,416. The New York Times Chetty College Mobility Report found that EPCC is one of the top institutions in the nation for social mobility, ranking 49th nationwide with a 23.8% overall mobility. The same report showed that 34.1% of EPCC students from the bottom 20% of family incomes reached the top 20% as adults. The study also reported EPCC has a high access rate where 69.7% of EPCC’s student body comes from the bottom 40% of the income scale.