The United States is known worldwide for its prestigious educational institutions, including some of the best universities in the world. However, university is not the only option for those seeking higher education. Newsweek recently mapped out which states have the best community colleges, based on a report from WalletHub. The study looked at over 650 community colleges across 18 indicators of cost and quality, ranging from tuition fees to graduation rates. The schools were evaluated in three main areas: cost and financing, education outcomes, and career outcomes, and were graded on a 100-point scale.
According to the WalletHub report, the top ten community colleges in the US are as follows: Manhattan Area Technical College in Kansas, State Technical College of Missouri, Pratt Community College in Kansas, Santa Fe Community College in New Mexico, Southeast New Mexico College, Irvine Valley College in California, Moraine Park Technical College in Wisconsin, CT State Community College Asnuntuck in Connecticut, College of San Mateo in California, and Montgomery College in Maryland. Manhattan Area Technical College was ranked first due to the future earning potential of its students, with over 77 percent earning more than the average income of high school graduates aged 25-34. The college had the lowest student loan default rate and the fifth highest graduation rate.
State Technical College of Missouri was ranked second in the report, with 88 percent of students staying with the school from their first to second year, the second-best retention rate in the country. The college also had the best graduation rate at 79 percent. Pratt Community College in Kansas came in third, with the second highest rate of full-time instruction and research staff at 97 percent. The college also offered generous grants and scholarships, with over $6,700 each. WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe emphasized the importance of community colleges in minimizing costs for students while providing a high-quality learning experience that leads to high student retention and graduation rates, as well as offering employment services post-graduation to help students find well-paying jobs.
In addition to ranking community colleges, Newsweek has previously mapped out which states have the best universities in America, with Massachusetts Institute of Technology topping the list and several universities in California making it into the top 10. On the other hand, Newsweek has also identified the states with the worst school systems, providing a comprehensive overview of education across the country. The study by WalletHub and the mapping efforts by Newsweek highlight the importance of high-quality community colleges in providing affordable and accessible higher education options for students, as well as recognizing the top institutions for their success in preparing students for successful careers. For more news and inquiries about educational coverage, readers are encouraged to contact [email protected].
