LYNN — North Shore Community College has been ranked as the top two-year college in the state for serving adult learners, according to results from Washington Monthly magazine’s annual College Guide and Rankings.
The magazine ranked NSCC as 13th in the country for adult learners out of the 978 community colleges sampled. Renton Technical College out of Washington was named the best in the nation. NSCC was ranked 16th nationally last year, according to information provided by the college.
“We’re very honored to be recognized nationally for serving adult students,” NSCC President Patricia A. Gentile said in a statement. “At NSCC, 39 percent of our students are 25-plus. We strive to provide excellent, flexible programs so adult learners can successfully enroll, retain and graduate. We utilize online, hybrid and accelerated course formats, along with strong, individualized student support services to meet their needs.”
The magazine ranked colleges based on their flexibility of programs, ease of transfer and services for adult students. At NSCC, adult students can earn their associate’s degree, advance their careers with certificates and other credentials, or update their life skills. NSCC also offers noncredit programs aimed at helping students enter or advance in the workforce, according to NSCC.
“The college’s long and successful use of Prior Learning Assessment helps our adult learners get college credit for their knowledge and skills gained outside the classroom in their work, military, and/or volunteer activities,” Gentile said in a statement. “Our welcoming culture provides an adult learner the respect each student should expect from their institution of higher education. This state and national recognition is a tribute to our faculty and staff who are continuously committed to our students’ success.”
The magazine based its rankings on data from the Department of Education’s Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System survey, College Board’s Annual Survey of Colleges and the College Scoreboard. Also factored in was the percentage of students over 25 at each school, their earnings 10 years after attending college, loan repayment rates, tuition and fees, and graduation rates of part-time students, according to NSCC.
