Santa Ana College ranks No. 1, Santiago Canyon College No. 4; RSCCD college holds county’s top spot for third consecutive year
SANTA ANA, Calif. — Santa Ana College (SAC) and Santiago Canyon College (SCC) have been recognized among Orange County's top community colleges in Niche.com's newly released 2027 Best Community Colleges rankings, with SAC ranked No. 1 in Orange County and SCC ranked No. 4.
The recognition marks the third consecutive year that a college within the Rancho Santiago Community College District (RSCCD) has earned Niche's top ranking among Orange County community colleges. SCC held the No. 1 position in the 2025 and 2026 rankings before SAC moved into the top spot for 2027.
SAC also earned the No. 11 ranking among community colleges in California and No. 44 nationally. SCC ranked No. 33 in California and No. 143 nationally. Niche's 2027 rankings include more than 1,300 community colleges nationwide.
"Having both Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College ranked among the top community colleges in Orange County reflects the quality of education available throughout our district," said RSCCD Chancellor Marvin Martinez. "For three consecutive years, an RSCCD college has held the No. 1 ranking in Orange County. That recognition belongs to the faculty, classified professionals and administrators at both colleges who work every day to create opportunities for our students and help them achieve their educational and career goals."
The 2027 rankings represent a significant rise for SAC, which earned an overall Niche grade of B+ and received particularly strong marks for value, student life and safety. SCC also earned an overall B+ grade, with strong marks for value, diversity, location and safety.
Niche released its 2027 Best Colleges rankings on Aug. 31. The rankings evaluate colleges using data from the U.S. Department of Education along with millions of reviews from students and alumni. Niche says its rankings consider academic, financial and student experience data, with factors including academics, value, faculty, diversity, campus quality, safety and student life.
For 2027, Niche updated its methodology to include new measures intended to provide students and families with a broader view of institutional performance. Changes include a new Institutional Success Score and pilot grades examining student wellness and future readiness.
"Rankings are only one measure of a college's success, but they provide another indication of the quality and value our students find at Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College," Martinez said. "To have both colleges recognized among Orange County's best is something the entire RSCCD community can be proud of.”
View the complete 2027 Niche Best Community Colleges rankings and methodology.
Contact:
Eugene W. Fields
Interim Chief Communications Officer
Rancho Santiago Community College District
714.628.5936
fields_eugene@rsccd.edu
About Rancho Santiago Community College District
Rancho Santiago Community College District is one of California’s largest community college districts and includes Santa Ana College and Santiago Canyon College. RSCCD provides credit and noncredit education, transfer pathways, career education and workforce training to students throughout its communities.