TIME and Statista Release Report on Top U.S. Community Colleges
TIME and data firm Statista have published a report highlighting the top 250 community colleges in the United States, based on criteria including student-faculty ratio, expenditure per student, diversity, graduate earnings, graduation rate, transfer rate, and campus resources.
Baton Rouge, LA, November 12, 2026 —
A new report identifying the top 250 community colleges across the United States has been released, a joint effort by TIME magazine and the data firm Statista. The comprehensive ranking aims to highlight institutions excelling in key areas of higher education.
The methodology employed in the report evaluated colleges based on a defined set of criteria. These metrics include the student-faculty ratio, which indicates class sizes and potential for individual attention; expenditure per student, reflecting the financial resources dedicated to educational programs and facilities; and diversity, assessing the representation of various student populations. The report also examined graduate earnings, providing insight into the post-graduation economic outcomes for alumni. Further criteria include the graduation rate, measuring the percentage of students who complete their programs, and the transfer rate, which tracks how many students move on to four-year institutions. Campus resources, encompassing facilities, technology, and support services, were also considered.
The specific names of the ranked colleges, the exact figures for each criterion, and the precise publication date of the report were not detailed in the provided summary. However, the initiative by TIME and Statista provides a framework for evaluating community colleges on a national scale.
Community colleges play a vital role in the U.S. education landscape, offering accessible pathways to higher education, vocational training, and opportunities for transfer to four-year universities. Reports like this aim to inform prospective students, educators, and policymakers about institutional performance and areas of strength within the sector.
Story summarized from the original created by Olivia B. Waxman on time.com, see more information here.
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