CT State Community College (CT State) has placed third in the nation by WalletHub, in the financial website’s report on community colleges and state-by-state community college rankings. This marks the third consecutive year that CT State has placed among the top three on this list.
The state ranking is derived from WalletHub’s “States With the Best & Worst Community Colleges (2024)” report, released last week.
"This ranking reflects our steadfast commitment to delivering affordable, high-quality education that positions students for successful careers,” said CT State President John Maduko, M.D. “As families across the state grapple with rising costs, our community college offers a valuable alternative, enabling students to achieve their academic goals without sacrificing quality or future opportunities,” he continued. “We remain dedicated to supporting our students and their aspirations, helping them maximize their educational investment."
WalletHub’s analysis compared 653 community colleges nationwide across 18 metrics of cost and quality, education outcomes and career outcomes to determine where students can receive the best education at the lowest tuition rates nationally. The data set ranges from the cost of in-state tuition and fees to student-faculty ratio and graduation rate. For the state-by-state analysis, WalletHub calculated a weighted average of the scores earned by the community colleges in each state and the number of students enrolled at each college.
More information on the “States with the Best & Worst Community Colleges (2024)” ranking is available online. Data used to create the ranking were sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics, Campaign for Free College Tuition, U.S. Department of Education and Council for Community & Economic Research, according to WalletHub.
Credit registration for the fall 2024 semester is in progress at CT State, offering hundreds of degree options designed to prepare students for transfer to four-year degrees and entry into the workforce. Programs are available in fields such as health care, manufacturing, information technology, business, and more. Classes begin August 28, with on-ground, online, hybrid and accelerated course options.
There is still time to benefit from Connecticut’s free college tuition program, available to eligible students as space permits. Prospective students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form, apply and register for classes. The FAFSA can be submitted online at www.fafsa.gov. For more eligibility information and details on free tuition, visit ctstate.edu/freecollege.