Washington Monthly used a complex equation to rank each community college. Community College Survey of Student Engagement's benchmark scores made up 85 percent of each school's rating, the ratings used and their weight in the survey were: active and collaborative learning (29 percent), student effort (12 percent), academic challenge (19 percent), student-faculty interaction (14 percent) and support for learners (12 percent). The remaining 15 percent of the ranking process was based on each college's graduation rates.
Saint Paul College is the No. 1 community college in the nation, according to Washington Monthly's survey. The college is based in Saint Paul, Minnesota and has been operating since 1910. Saint Paul College is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as a community and technical college. Saint Paul College offers associates degrees in liberal arts and applied sciences. Saint Paul College also offers trade and technical programs.
Hesston College comes in second on Washington Monthly's survey of community colleges. Hesston College is owned by Mennonite Church USA and is located just north of Wichita, Kansas. The college was founded in 1909 and classifies itself as a Christian college. This school holds an accreditation from the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools as a two-year college. Hesston offers students six pre-professional programs and more than 50 academic programs.
Carolinas College of Health Sciences received the No. 3 three ranking from the Washington Monthly. This community college is a specialty college that focuses mainly on nurses and allied health providers. Despite it's focus being on health-centric programs, CCHS also offers a general education program to prepare students for transfer to another University, personal education goals or to use towards a health-care program at CCHS.