The Economic Contributions of a Mississippi Rural Community College Utilizing a Cost-Benefit Analysis of a Remedial Education Program.

The purpose of this study was to track former remedial students at one of Mississippi’s community colleges in order to examine the investment effectiveness of remedial and developmental programs by conducting a cost-benefit analysis. The approach involved tracking, surveying, and evaluation. The method was selected on the basis of data needs and gaps that could enable the state’s system of community colleges to estimate the economic cost and benefits to the state, the community colleges, and the students. The study used a survey instrument, along with existing institutional data on revenues and expenditures, to ascertain whether funds generated for the support of remedial programs were cost effective and economically viable. A cost-benefit analysis was conducted by defining the purpose of the study, measuring the cost, measuring the benefits, and calculating the benefit-cost ratio. The results of the study indicated that the economic benefits of providing remedial education outweighed the economic cost