The Effect of youth and education on our community and economy

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  Billion

  Over 23,900 students did not graduate from Nevada’s high schools in 2010; the lost lifetime earnings in Nevada for that class of dropouts alone total over $6.2 billion.

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  Million

  Nevada could save as much as $230 million in health care costs over the lifetimes of each class of dropouts had they earned their diplomas.

• 

  Million

  If Nevada’s high schools graduated all of their students ready for college, the state could save as much as $25.8 million a year in remediation costs and lost earnings.

• 

  Percent

  Nevada’s economy could see a combination of crime-related savings and additional revenue of about $78.4 million each year if the male high school graduation rate increased by just 5 percent.

• 

  Times

  The poverty rate for Nevada residents over the age of 25 with less than a high school degree is almost three times higher than that for those with a bachelor’s degree.

• 

  Percent

  58 percent of inmates in Nevada prisons do not have a high school diploma. The cost to Nevada taxpayers to incarcerate an inmate is about $30,000 per year.

Data courtesy of the Alliance for Excellent Education, 2010, and “Say Yes for Kids Committee” September 2010

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