A statewide study was conducted in 1982 to describe the impact of Oregon's 15 community colleges on the state's economy as well as the impact of each college on the economy of its district. Economic impact was defined for the study as the money in circulation within the state or college district due to the existence of the college; i.e., college-related business volume. Surveys were administered to students and staff to ascertain their college-related expenditures and whether these were made in-district, in-state, or out-of-state. Additional data on college expenditures for payrolls and the purchase of goods and services were obtained from college records. Economic impact was then assessed in terms of money in circulation, money in circulation compared with operational tax dollars, jobs created, and enrollment alternatives. The study revealed that: (1) while Oregonians invested over $102 million in the community colleges through state and local taxes, the colleges returned over five times that amount ($552,990,662) to circulation in the economy; (2) 35,999 full-time equivalent jobs were attributable to the colleges; and (3) without the colleges, approximately 43,629 residents would not have attended college in winter term, 1982. Appendices provide the survey instruments and findings on the impact of each community college on its district's economy and a discussion of the statewide socioeconomic and educational impacts of the colleges. (KL)