The U.S. is globally renowned for its educational institutions, with several American universities recognized as some of the best in the world.
University isn’t the only option for those seeking higher education, however. Newsweek has mapped which states have the best community colleges, according to a recent WalletHub report.
The study examined over 650 community colleges across 18 indicators of cost and quality, using a dataset that ranged from the cost of in-state tuition and fees to the student-faculty ratio and graduation rate.
The schools were evaluated based on three main areas: cost and financing, education outcomes, and career outcomes. Institutions were graded on a 100-point scale.
According to the report, the top ten community colleges in the U.S. were:
- Manhattan Area Technical College, Kansas
- State Technical College of Missouri, Missouri
- Pratt Community College, Kansas
- Santa Fe Community College, New Mexico
- Southeast New Mexico College, New Mexico
- Irvine Valley College, California
- Moraine Park Technical College, Wisconsin
- CT State Community College Asnuntuck, Connecticut
- College of San Mateo, California
- Montgomery College, Maryland
Placing first was Manhattan Area Technical College in Kansas, which the study’s authors said was largely due to the college’s students’ future earnings prospects. Over 77 percent of former students earn more than the average income of people with only a high school education (aged 25-34), the report said.
Manhattan Area Technical College had the lowest student loan default rate and the fifth highest graduation rate.
Coming in second was the State Technical College of Missouri.
The report stated that 88 percent of students stayed with the school from the first to second year, which represented the second-best retention state in the country. The college also had the best graduation rate in the country – 79 percent.
Pratt Community College – another Kansas institution – ranked third.
According to the study, Pratt boasts the second highest rate of full-time instruction and research staff at 97 percent. Additionally, it offered generous grants and scholarships, at over $6,700 each.
“A good community college minimizes costs for students while also providing an enriching learning experience that leads to high student retention and high graduation rates,” said WalletHub analyst Cassandra Happe.
“The best colleges also help their students even post-graduation by offering employment services to help them find jobs with good salaries,” she added.
Newsweek previously mapped the states with the best universities in America.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology topped this list, with several universities in California also making it into the top 10.
On the flip side, Newsweek has also mapped which states have the worst school systems.
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