BestColleges® lists SCC among state leaders in academic quality, affordability, and online competency.
ORANGE, Calif. (July 25, 2023) – Citing the variety of academic disciplines students can earn associate degrees and technical certificates, as well as multiple online learning options, independent college ranking and higher education research outlet BestColleges ranked Santiago Canyon College (SCC) as the seventh-best community college in California in its recently released 2023 list.
SCC only trailed top-ranked Irvine Valley College among Orange County-based community colleges in BestColleges' ranking of all 116 community colleges in the state.
The rankings were compiled with an emphasis on academic quality, affordability and online competency using the most recent provisional data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator through the National Center for Education Statistics.
“Santiago Canyon is one of the best-kept secrets in education in the region and the state. But the secret is getting out and we are proud to share it," said SCC President Dr. Jeannie G Kim. “We are continuing to grow our full-time equivalent student enrollment and working towards meeting our goal of 6% growth year-over-year."
One of the evaluation metrics BestColleges used in its rankings was a school's commitment to distance learning, through its offering of online programs and the percentage of students enrolled in online classes.
“SCC has been forward-thinking in terms of distance education, as several credit classes and a noncredit Continuing Education life-skills class were transitioned online as part of a pilot almost two years before the COVID-19 pandemic," Kim said. “That forward-thinking allowed the college to quickly pivot to online instruction just two days after state-mandated lockdowns and online instruction continues to play an integral role in our outreach and continued growth."
The ranking from BestColleges comes on the heels of Santiago Canyon being ranked 11th in California by Intelligent.com and #15 by Niche.com earlier this year.
“The rankings among the upper echelon of community colleges in the state, as well as in comparison to our peers in Orange County serve as a confirming snapshot of the planning by our staff and work by our faculty and students to get us to this point," Kim said. “The future is bright for SCC and I look forward to our college serving more community members seeking certification to meet regional workforce development needs or those looking for direct transfer pathways to four-year institutions."
About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is one of two colleges in the Rancho Santiago Community College District , serving approximately 17,000 students annually. Accredited in 2000, this dynamic and award-winning institution is located in the city of Orange and provides an array of educational opportunities to more than 195,000 residents comprising the community. SCC offers 221 degree and certificate programs (including 28 associate degrees for transfer). SCC has been ranked among the “50 Best Community Colleges" in the U.S. by College Choice, recognized multiple times by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of “The Great Colleges to Work For," received Gold-level status as a Military Friendly School®, and boasts award-winning, dedicated faculty, high-quality and student-centered education, and has an excellent university transfer rate supported by transfer-guarantee programs.
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