The Orlando region offers a vast number of higher education institutions, including some of the country’s top state colleges. Recently, Valencia College ranked fourth in the nation for the number of associate degrees awarded to students by Community College Week magazine.
Using data from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics, Community College Week compared over 3,600 colleges and universities across the U.S. The results were published in the annual Top 100 ranking for the 2014-2015 year.
Valencia earned its high ranking by awarding 7,625 associate degrees. The college earned other top rankings, including:
- Second in the number of degrees awarded in general studies and humanities,
- Sixth in the number of computer and information sciences degrees, and
- Fourth in the nation for the number of one-year certificates awarded.
In tune with Valencia’s targeted efforts of educating students of all backgrounds, 51 percent of the 7,625 associate degrees were awarded to minority students. The college ranked fourth in the nation for the number of degrees awarded to Hispanic students and sixth for the number of degrees awarded to African-American students.