EDsmart.org lists SCC among state leaders in academic quality, affordability, student satisfaction and median earnings of former students.
ORANGE, Calif. (September 13, 2023) – Santiago Canyon College (SCC) received another high ranking among community colleges in California earlier this week.
In its 2024 list, independent college ranking research outlet EDsmart.org ranked SCC as the eighth-best out of 116 community colleges throughout the state.
Among its reasons for SCC's ranking, EDsmart.org cited the variety of academic disciplines in which students could earn associate degrees and technical certificates, articulation agreements ensuring easy transfer of credits to four-year universities after earning an associate degree, small class sizes and graduates obtaining well-paying jobs thanks to their education and training from SCC.
The rankings were compiled with an emphasis on academic quality, affordability, student retention rates and the median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid, at 10 years after entering the college, using information from the National Center for Education Statistics, College Scorecard, Payscale and college websites.
“We are pleased to be recognized again as one of the best community colleges in the region and state," said SCC President Dr. Jeannie G. Kim. “I am especially pleased with this ranking because it recognizes the fact that students graduating from SCC earn more because we are focused on providing degrees and career education pathways that lead to high wage high demand jobs in Orange County."
The ranking from EDsmart.org comes on the heels of Santiago Canyon being ranked 7th in California by BestColleges.com, 11th by Intelligent.com and #15 by Niche.com earlier this year.
“The rankings place us firmly among the upper echelon of community colleges in the state," Kim said. “We look forward to moving up the ranking charts as we continue to grow our enrollments and develop new and exciting academic and career pathways to serve more community members seeking certification to meet regional workforce development needs or those looking for direct transfer pathways to four-year institutions."
To learn more about SCC, visit sccollege.edu. Questions about this press release can be directed to Eugene W. Fields, public information officer, at fields_eugene@sccollege.edu or 714.628.5936.
###
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.
