Community colleges are crucial for many students to advance their academic and career objectives. According to Federal data, in the spring of 2022, 4.2 million students were enrolled in community colleges.
Top community colleges draw students for various reasons, primarily since they are often less expensive than other 4-year universities. In addition, community colleges frequently collaborate with universities, facilitating credit transfers that lead to bachelor’s degrees for students.
Our list of the best community colleges in the US can help students prepare to start working in their areas sooner, which appeals to nontraditional students or those with other obligations.
10 Top Community Colleges in America
Based on the number of students, graduation rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and other factors, here are the top 10 best community colleges in the US.
1. New Mexico Military Institute
New Mexico Military Institute alumni have had great careers in various fields. Paul Horgan, the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for literature, and cable television pioneer Bill Daniels are among the graduates.
- Students: 487
- Location: Roswell, NM
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
- Graduation rate: 65%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 94%
- Median earnings 6 years post (6 years after getting the degree): $39,700
2. University of South Carolina Lancaster
For anyone interested in learning more about the history of the indigenous people in the area, the University of South Carolina Lancaster provides a distinctive offering. The Native American Studies Center examines the background of the indigenous people of South Carolina.
- Students: 715
- Location: Lancaster, SC
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 14:1
- Graduation rate: 36%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 95%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $44,900
3. Lake Area Technical College
Lake Area Technical Institute was the first technical college to be established in South Dakota. As a result, 81% of graduates stay and work in the community, according to the institution.
- Students: 1,507
- Location: Watertown, SD
- Students to faculty ratio: 17:1
- Graduation rate: 75%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 95%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $36,900
4. Western Iowa Tech Community College
Western Iowa Tech Community College may be worth considering for those interested in cooking. In 2014, the school established a curriculum in culinary arts, and its first class received its diplomas in 2015.
- Students: 1,792
- Location: Sioux City, IA
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 16:1
- Graduation rate: 45%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 90%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $31,500
5. Fox Valley Technical College
A state-of-the-art public safety training facility, complete with a Boeing 727 provided by FedEx, was opened by Fox Valley Technical College.
- Students: 2,092
- Location: Appleton, WI
- Students to faculty ratio: 11:1
- Graduation rate: 60%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 90%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $36,100
6. Cloud County Community College
At Cloud County Community College, there is plenty to appreciate for fans of architecture. For example, some of the campus buildings are constructed in the shape of pods to represent the distant hills.
- Students: 777
- Location: Concordia, KS
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Graduation rate: 59%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 91%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $30,700
7. Indian Capital Technology Center – Muskogee
Students at Indian Capital Technology Center – Muskogee think the institution is excellent for anybody looking to enroll to pursue a particular professional objective. For example, they claim that the nursing curriculum offers good preparation for a nursing job.
- Students: 340
- Location: Muskogee, OK
- Graduation rate: 73%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 77%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $24,700
8. Ohio State University Agricultural Technical Institute
The Agricultural Technical Institute at Ohio State University is an agricultural education and training leader. For example, a team from the institution won the Ohio Dairy Challenge tournament in 2019 after competing against 18 other teams.
- Students: 526
- Location: Wooster, OH
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Graduation rate: 69%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 94%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $46,100
9. Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture
Initially, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture served as a boarding school for high school students from rural areas without a local college or university. The institution stayed the same as a community college with an emphasis on agriculture for another 50 years.
- Students: 230
- Location: Curtis, NE
- Student-to-faculty ratio: 13:1
- Graduation rate: 45%
- Median earnings six years after graduation: $46,400
- Median earnings 6 years post: 96%
10. White Mountains Community College
Students who enjoy outside may want to think about White Mountains Community College. The area provides students with good chances for hiking and other outdoor activities on the weekends because mountains and woods surround it in New Hampshire.
- Students: 252
- Location: Berlin, NH
- Students to faculty ratio: 7:1
- Graduation rate: 54%
- Employment rate two years after graduation: 88%
- Median earnings 6 years post: $35,100
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is the list of the states that boast the best community colleges.
- Washington
- New Mexico
- Minnesota
- Hawaii
- Wisconsin
- North Dakota
- Wyoming
- Oregon
Oxnard Community College, Bristol Community College, Central Wyoming College, and Lehman College are the cheapest community colleges in the US.
South Florida State College, Utah Valley University, Thomas More College of Liberal Arts, and the University of Texas- El Paso are some of the easiest state colleges to enter, as they have a 100% acceptance rate.
Compared to four-year schools and universities, community colleges are more accessible, more inexpensive, and provide more flexible class schedules. Sometimes, community college is a better fit for lives and career trajectories.
Conclusion
Community colleges provide you with an affordable platform to complete your degree. You can opt to physically attend the class or enroll in online courses. Community colleges provide focused education in various niches including humanities, arithmetic, English, and physics.
The general education courses offered by community colleges can help you get the credit for a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree which is one of the main reasons students opt for these courses.
We hope that our list of the best community colleges in the US helped you explore your college options in detail!
