Economic Impact
MPCC (Minnesota Private College Council)
The Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) represents 18 independent nonprofit colleges distributed across the state. These institutions serve a diverse student bodies and deliver high graduation outcomes. They are key educators, community partners, and drivers of economic vitality across both urban and rural Minnesota.
Case Study:
MPCC (Minnesota Private College Council)
The Puzzle
Minnesota’s 18 private nonprofit colleges are vital to state education, regional economies, and workforce readiness—but their collective impact had been underappreciated in public discourse. MPCC needed compelling, comprehensive data to elevate its narrative, galvanize support from legislators, business leaders, and funders, and reinforce its central role in the state’s economic and social health.
Profile
The Minnesota Private College Council (MPCC) represents 18 independent nonprofit colleges distributed across the state. These institutions serve a diverse student bodies and deliver high graduation outcomes. They are key educators, community partners, and drivers of economic vitality across both urban and rural Minnesota.
How we helped
The June 2025 Economic & Community Benefits Study revealed powerful insights:
- $4.5 billion in economic impact throughout the state of Minnesota.
- 34,687 jobs supported and sustained, including over 12,000 jobs created on the MPCC member institutions’ campuses.
- $253.6 million generated in state and local tax revenues.
Together, these figures reflect not just economic scale, but sustained return on education investment, workforce readiness, and civic engagement. The following data points demonstrate the integral role that MPCC member institutions have throughout Minnesota:
- MPCC has 18 member institutions serving 50,000+ students statewide.
- 33% of undergraduates are students of color or Native American students.
- Students can choose from 160+ majors and minors.
- The majority of classes have fewer than 20 students.
- 43% of Minnesota resident students at MPCC colleges come from families earning less than $80,000 annually.
- MPCC ranks #3 in four-year graduation rate compared to private nonprofit colleges in other states.
- 95% of first-year students receive grants and scholarships.
- MPCC ranks #2 nationally for Pell Grant student graduation rates among private nonprofit colleges.
- Collectively, MPCC colleges award $6 in institutional grants for every $1 received in state and federal aid.
- 93% of recent graduates are employed, in further education, or in volunteer/military service within one year of earning their bachelor’s.
- 1 in 3 Minnesota high school grads pursuing bachelor’s degrees in the state do so at MPCC institutions.
- 20% of students are the first in their family to earn a college degree.
How It Helped The Client
Even as a topline statistic, the $4.5 billion impact provides a foundation to elevate MPCC’s narrative about its role in Minnesota’s economy. To maximize its value for advocacy or web placement, additional data (e.g., jobs supported, tax contribution, student spending, workforce outcomes) would enhance storytelling and make the case more compelling and complete.
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