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BUILDING A NEXT GENERATION WORKFORCE

TEXAS COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Empower students, strengthen communities, and fuel the state's economic engine.

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Our community colleges shape the future by providing an accessible, life-changing education that equips students with the skills to succeed in today's economy.

We are the largest sector of higher education in Texas

Serving
700
Students
a year
Through
50
Community
Colleges
Awarding
96
Of all career
and technical
educational (CTE)
Certificates
Books
Through cutting-edge partnerships,

we are preparing the next generation of workers, helping businesses thrive, and ensuring Texas remains a leader in innovation and growth.

Explore our resources

Discover how Texas community colleges are driving economic growth and building a brighter future for our state.

Stories

Hear from students, alumni, and employers about the transformative power of a community college station.

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Anatupenda Daphrose - Community College Essay Winner
Nelsie Nash - Community College Essay Winner
Martha Chavez - Community College Essay Winner
Kelly Bridges - Community College Essay Winner
Brandon Payne - Community College Essay Winner
Avey Etaghene - Community College Essay Winner
Data & Insights

Explore key statistics that demonstrate our value and outcomes.

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Legislative Support

Learn how House Bill 8 and other legislative initiatives are shaping the future of education and workforce development.

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Videos

Watch how we are building the next generation workforce. 

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Building a Next Generation Workforce
The Impact of Texas Community Colleges
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Why Texas Community Colleges Matter

Texas community colleges are the foundation of the state's educational and economic infrastructure, offering unparalleled opportunities for students and communities.

Our colleges rest on five pillars
Pillar
Accessible

With open enrollment and affordable tuition, Texas community colleges provide access to higher education for all, regardless of background or financial status.

Life-Changing

Texas community colleges transform lives by offering pathways to new opportunities. From first-generation college students to adult learners, these institutions empower and propel their graduates toward brighter futures.

Economic Engines

Community colleges produce skilled graduates who fuel local economies and meet the demands of Texas’ rapidly growing industries.

Delivering Value and Results

Texas community colleges focus on measurable outcomes, ensuring students are prepared for high-demand careers and higher education pathways.

At Scale

Serving more than 700,000 students each year, Texas community colleges are the state’s largest higher education sector of in the state, delivering education and workforce training in every region.

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Community College Finance:

Transforming Workforce Development

2021
2022
2023
2024
2021

Recognizing the shortcomings of the state’s decades-old community college funding system, the 87th Texas Legislature establishes the Texas Commission on Community College Finance. The Commission is tasked with recommending a new system to elevate community college education and offerings throughout Texas.

"The focus of the commission shall be to study state appropriations… and to make recommendations for consideration by the 88th Texas Legislature for establishing a state funding formula and funding levels sufficient for sustaining viable community college education and training offerings throughout the state."

Senate Bill 1230

sponsored by Sen. Larry Taylor

2022

The Texas Commission on Community College Finance submits detailed recommendations to the Legislature to modernize and improve the community college funding formula in three key ways.

  • State Funding for Outcomes
  • Affordability for Students
  • Investments in Increased College Capacity

"We need a funding model for our community college districts that is strategic, that is deliberately aligned with our emerging workforce needs, and that fosters a strong partnership between local community colleges and the state.”

Commission Chairman Woody Hunt

2023

The 88th Texas Legislature approves House Bill 8 and allocates $683 million to position Texas as a national leader in tying funding for community colleges to measurable student-focused outcomes. These outcomes include:

  • Credentials of value awarded
  • Credentials of value awarded in high-demand fields 
  • Successful student transfers from community colleges to four-year universities.
  • Student completion dual credit courses, which are offered to high school students

“House Bill 8 will be an important tool to help enhance the role of public junior colleges in workforce training and preparation for high-demand careers."

Gov. Greg Abbott

2024

After just one year of being funded through the outcomes-based system, community colleges increase enrollment by 5.4%. They serve more than 700,000 students, resuming their pre-pandemic status as the largest sector in Texas higher education and laying the foundation for increased legislative support.

 “The outcomes-based funding model introduced by HB 8 is opening doors for more Texans to pursue education and training in high-demand fields, leading to greater economic mobility and opportunity.”

TACC President and CEO Ray Martinez III

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