Sheldon, Iowa — The local community college is again ranked high in two national rankings.
This time it’s WalletHub.com doing the ranking, and Northwest Iowa Community College (NCC) officials tell us they are thrilled to announce their exceptional ranking in the 2023 Best & Worst Community Colleges in the Nation report. In this year’s assessment, NCC has secured a 2nd place ranking for career outcomes and received a 3rd place ranking for best overall community college among more than 650 institutions evaluated. This recognition marks the third consecutive year NCC has excelled on WalletHub’s national ranking.
WalletHub.com’s study was driven by the objective of providing students with higher education opportunities that are both affordable and rewarding. During the 2022 to 2023 academic year, community colleges stood out for their ability to offer quality education without imposing the financial strain associated with four-year institutions. The report underscores that tuition and fees for full-time, in-state enrollment at a public two-year college averaged $3,860 annually, compared to $10,950 at a public four-year institution and a significant $39,400 at a four-year private school. Community colleges also provide a financially viable path for students aiming to earn general-education credits before transferring to an in-state public four-year university, potentially saving substantial sums.
NCC officials call the rankings “outstanding” and “remarkable.” Interestingly, the president of the top ranked college in the category, “Best Overall Community Colleges,” State Technical College of Missouri, is an NCC alumnus.
