Top 20 Community Colleges in Texas

Four Alamo Colleges Among Top 20 Community Colleges in Texas

For the first time ever, four of the colleges of the Alamo Colleges District have been ranked in the top 20 community colleges for 2018 in Texas by BestColleges.com. Northwest Vista College is ranked second on the list for the third time, followed by Palo Alto College in the third spot, San Antonio College at number 15 and St. Philip’s College at number 19. The Alamo Colleges District is the only community college system in Texas to have four colleges in the top rankings.

The ranking is based on key performance indicators like acceptance, retention, graduation, enrollment rates and loan default percentages as a measure of graduates’ success. The data comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Educational Statistics. It includes the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator.

“The excellence of the colleges of the Alamo Colleges is reflected in these rankings,” said Alamo Colleges District Chancellor Dr.Bruce Leslie. “This recognition is important in helping students to realize that they will receive a quality education at an affordable cost at our colleges to prepare them for success,”he added.

The Alamo Colleges District has seen a 244% increase in degrees and certificates awarded from FY 2005-06 to FY 2016-17. This record-setting progress in student completion is on track to exceed the state’s goals for increasing the number of residents with at least an associate degree or certificate. More than 80,000 students enroll at the colleges of the Alamo Colleges District annually to earn associate degrees or certifications or to earn credits that transfer to universities where they can complete a bachelor’s degree or higher.

"Our regularly updated collection of college rankings keep students informed about what schools across the country have to offer in terms of top-rated academics and student lifestyle. From degree programs to campus amenities, we do the research on what matters,” said Stephanie Snider, general manager at BestColleges.com. “These four colleges are certainly leading colleges within these parameters and even offer an open-door admissions policy, which greatly extends higher education opportunities to prospective students. In this way, they truly are paving a way for greater academics and higher education opportunity in Texas.”