Recognition
With among the highest graduation and retention rates in the state of Minnesota (and among the lowest tuition), Alexandria Technical & Community College provides high quality education at a fraction of the cost of a university. The national and state rankings below are evidence of our ongoing commitment to excellence.
2023 Recognition
Best Community Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#28 in the U.S.
Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Best Online Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#8 in the U.S.
Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Best Online Speech-Language Pathology Program
#1 in the U.S.
Rankings based on number of programs, total cost, financial aid, support services, career placement, and other program data from the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.
Best Online Medical Assisting Program
#1 in the U.S.
Rankings based on full- and part-time retention rate, graduation rate, average net price, and percentage of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Data from IPEDS and College Navigator.
2022 Recognition
Best Community Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#3 in the U.S.
#5 in the U.S. for Career Outcomes
Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.
Best Community Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#21 in the U.S.
Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Best Online Colleges
#2 in Minnesota
(runner-up behind U of M Crookston)
#18 in the U.S.
Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Highest Graduation Rates
#1 in Minnesota
#17 in the U.S.
Among 2-year colleges, based on graduation rates for first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students who entered in the fall of 2017 and completed within 150% of program duration
U.S. Cyber Command Partner
Selected to be part of the US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) Academic Engagement Network (AEN)
Alexandria College is the only Minnesota institution selected for this partner program. A total of 84 institutions (70 universities and 14 community colleges)
National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity: Cyber Defense
The CAE-CD designation indicates that Alexandria College is helping reduce threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense as well as provide the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals. The designation is awarded by the NSA to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and/or certificates at the associate, bachelor’s and graduate levels.
Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE)
Alexandria College was recognized with the Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE) Designation by the Regional Workforce Alliance (RWA) of Northwest Minnesota for our "commitment to and development of an inclusive and equitable culture within our business and the region."
Military Friendly Silver School
Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
Best Community Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#5 in the U.S.
Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.
Best Online Community Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#3 in the U.S.
Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.
Best Colleges | Online
#1 Community College in Minnesota
Rankings based tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting pay.
Best Colleges | Associate Degrees
#1 in Minnesota
Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.
Best Online Associate Degree in Cybersecurity
#4 in the U.S.
Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.
Best Online Associate Degree in Human Services
#6 in the U.S.
Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.
2021 Recognition
2023 Aspen Prize Eligible
Top 150 in the U.S.
Eligibility awarded to the Top 150 Community Colleges in the United States. ATCC has been consistently eligible for the award since its inception in 2011.
Best Community Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#14 in the U.S.
Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.
Best Colleges | Associate Degrees
#1 in Minnesota
Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.
Community Colleges with the best ROI
Top 100 in the U.S.
4,500 colleges ranked by the highest 40-year return on investment (ROI) as found in a study by Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.
Military Friendly School
Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
Best Online Community Colleges
#30 in the U.S.
Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.
Most Affordable Technical & Trade Schools
#48 in the U.S.
Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate, including graduate salaries.
Best Value Health & Medical Administrative Services Schools
#1 in the U.S.
#1 in the Plains States Region
#1 in Minnesota
Rankings based on tuition rate, quality of program, and graduate outcomes.
Best Associate Degree in Nursing
#1 in Minnesota
Rankings based on first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, program accreditation, program cost, and graduation/retention rates.
Best Medical Coding Degrees
#4 in the U.S.
Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. Also ranked within top 50 nationally for Business Administration Associate Degrees and Human Services Degrees.
Best Business Administration & Management Degrees
#8 in the Plains States Region
Rankings based on student success metrics, post graduation wages, and availability of online/flexible learning options.
Best Two-Year Colleges
#4 in Minnesota
Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.
Best Paralegal Associate Degree
#3 in the U.S.
Rankings based on accreditation, tuition rates, and program credit hours.
Best Associate Degree in Graphic Design
#11 in the U.S.
Rankings based on accreditation, tuition rates, and program credit hours.
2020 Recognition
Best Community Colleges
#1 in Minnesota
#8 in the U.S.
Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.
Military Friendly School
Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
Best Online Community Colleges
#2 in Minnesota
#20 in the U.S.
Rankings based on retention rate and student achievement outcomes.
Best Associate Degrees in Automotive Technology
#4 in the U.S.
The Diesel Mechanics program was ranked among the best in the nation for median starting salary among graduates.
Best Associate Degrees in Graphic Design
#5 in the U.S.
The Communication Art & Design program was ranked among the best in the nation for median starting salary among graduates.
Best Community Colleges in the United States
#27 in the U.S.
Rankings based on student achievement outcomes, cost-to-value, and additional criteria.
2019 Recognition
2021 Aspen Prize Eligible
Top 150 in the U.S.
Eligibility awarded to the Top 150 Community Colleges in the United States. ATCC has been consistently eligible for the award since its inception in 2011.
Best Community Colleges
#2 in Minnesota
#7 in the U.S.
Based on quality and affordability
Military Friendly School
Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.
Highest Graduation Rates
#1 in Minnesota
#17 in the U.S.
Among 2-year colleges, based on 3-year graduation rates