Three colleges in Southern California, two in Orange County, have been recognized as some of the top community colleges in the nation, according to a report released by WalletHub on Aug. 13.
Irvine Valley College in Irvine secured the sixth spot, while Saddleback College in Mission Viejo claimed the 14th position in WalletHub’s analysis of 650 community colleges across the country. The evaluation criteria included factors like cost, quality, student-faculty ratio, and graduation rate.
Additionally, Moreno Valley College in Riverside County was ranked 12th in the report.
Among the top performers nationwide were Manhattan Area Technical College in Kansas at No. 1, State Technical College of Missouri at No. 2, and Pratt Community College in Kansas at No. 3.
When it comes to states with the best community colleges, California landed in the 17th spot, while Maryland took the top position.
According to Jennifer L. Steele, a professor at American University in Washington, D.C., community colleges play a pivotal role in opening doors to various opportunities for students. They serve as a gateway to technical careers, provide affordable pathways to four-year degrees, and offer diverse educational options.
Related Stories
Steele emphasized the importance of community colleges in guiding students towards various career paths and ensuring they are well-informed about the opportunities available to them.
