Northampton Community College (NCC) has been named to Newsweek’s list of America’s Top Online Colleges 2023. The college was ranked 54th out of 200 highly rated colleges and universities across the United States.
The list highlights the nation’s top colleges with online degrees based on a survey of more than 9,000 online learners and independent research conducted by Statistica Inc. NCC was the only Lehigh Valley college to earn a spot on the list and was the highest ranked Pennsylvania community college included.
“It’s exciting to have our online education programs recognized nationally especially as we continue to grow this modality as an important part of our future,” said David A. Ruth, president of NCC. “What’s especially rewarding is that the rankings are based on feedback from our online students who highly rated their education and online learning experience with NCC.”
Institutions were rated based on organization and accessibility, support and service, cost of program, perceived organizational reputation, expected success, and practical relevance of contents. The participants were also asked to what extent they would recommend it to others.
More than half of NCC’s 8,400 students enroll in online classes. The college offers 34 fully online degree programs and more than 250 online classes. Ruth said many of the College’s students rely on online programs and classes to enable them to pursue their education when it best fits their schedules so that they can blend learning with busy work and home lives. “That’s critical in helping them earn a degree or credential to advance in their current job or obtain a new position,” he said.
NCC’s Chief Information Officer Brian Gardner, who oversees the college’s online learning programs, said “NCC’s online learning program is great because of the teams who make it happen. We have incredible faculty, a top-notch online learning and educational technology team, and offices across the campus that work in a beautifully diverse chorus towards a singular end, the success of our students.”
Gardner added, “The best is yet to come, with more services and options that will help get our students from wherever they are to where they want to be.”
The national rankings were published by Newsweek and Statista Inc., the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. Find the complete list of colleges here.
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About Northampton Community College
With an enduring commitment to the regional community it serves and a focus on student success, Northampton Community College has developed a reputation as an institution of extraordinary distinction, earning accolades at the state and national levels for innovative programs, outstanding faculty and impressive student achievements. It counts among its successful alumni a four-time Pulitzer Prize winner and an Academy Award winning director as well as a host of CEOs, presidents and leaders of business and industry. Today, Northampton Community College has locations in Bethlehem, Southside Bethlehem and Monroe County, serving 30,000 students each year from 53 counties, 42 countries and 25 states. For more information, or to apply, visit www.northampton.edu. Follow NCC on Twitter and Snapchat @NorthamptonComm and on Instagram @NorthamptonCommCollege. Like NCC on Facebook at Northampton Community College.