August 17, 2023
Northland Community and Technical College outranked more than six hundred US community colleges in a recent report issued by finance website WalletHub. Northland placed 31st on the list of 668 schools, while the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system overall ranked fifth.
WalletHub surveyed two-year colleges across the country to determine where students get the best education at the most affordable price. Schools were ranked based on how they scored for 19 key indicators like total cost, academic quality, student-to-faculty ratio, graduation rate and career outcomes for graduates.
As inflation drives up the costs of living, books and supplies, in addition to skyrocketing tuition rates, WalletHub’s report comes at a critical time for students finalizing their plans for higher education. Their analysis revealed a stark contrast — during the 2022 to 2023 academic year, tuition and fees for full-time, in-state enrollment at a public two-year college averaged just $3,860 per year compared to $10,950 at a public four-year institution and $39,400 at a four-year private school.
“Cost has become an even bigger consideration for students and their families,” said Dr. Sandy Kiddoo, President of Northland. “We are so proud that for this academic year, Northland froze tuition rates with the support of the Minnesota State Legislature.”
According to Kiddoo, Northland has also doubled the number of scholarships made available to students in the last year. Whether it’s keeping tuition costs as low as possible or opening up an on-campus food pantry, Northland is always seeking new and innovative ways to remove barriers to academic and career success.
“This latest national ranking is a great indication of how Northland and our system work to provide an affordable high quality education,” Kiddoo said. “At the same time, we’re able to maintain our academic environment that delivers career ready graduates to support our local communities and industry.”
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