July 26, 2020
SmartAsset ranked East Mississippi Community College 12th in the nation in “The Best Community Colleges in the U.S. — 2020 Edition.”
SmartAsset analyzed more than 800 community colleges for the annual report that compares graduation and transfer rates, student-to-faculty ratios and the cost of in-state tuition and fees, according to the report.
This is the fifth year in a row EMCC has made the annual list, placing in the Top 10 during the four previous years. Last year EMCC Placed No. 8 on the list and ranked No. 5 in 2018, No. 3 in 2017 and No. 8 in 2016.
“Students who come to East Mississippi Community College are getting a quality education that is as good as any offered anywhere in the nation,” EMCC President Dr. Scott Alsobrooks said. “They can leave here ready to enter the workforce or well prepared to continue their educational journey at a four-year institution. Just as important, when our students graduate from EMCC, they leave here with little, or in some cases no, student debt.”
According to research.collegeboard.org, the average in-state tuition for community colleges during the 2018-2019 school year, excluding room and board, was $3,630, while the average in-state undergraduate tuition at a public four-year institution was $10,440. The average tuition at a private, non-profit four-year institution was $35,680, according to the research.collegeboard.org website. EMCC’s annual in-state tuition and fees for the 2018-19 school year was $3,440, according to the SmartAsset report.
According to a Feb. 3 article in Forbes titled “Student Loan Debt Statistics in 2020”, more than 44.7 million U.S. residents owe a collective $1.6 trillion in student loan debt, with an average loan amount of $32,731.
The comparison data SmartAsset used to compile the rankings was obtained through the National Center for Education Statistics' Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for the 2018-19 school year, which is the latest year for which the information is available, according to the report.
Of the community colleges that ranked in the Top 25 on the list, only five had higher graduation and transfer rates than EMCC, where 82 percent of students completed their studies or transferred to a four-year institution, the report states.
Read the SmartAsset report here: https://bit.ly/3jy2Mud
"East Mississippi Community College has been an incredible launching pad for my future! The professors here have truly cared about me and have gone above and beyond to make sure I succeeded. From the Ambassadors program to PTK to student government, EMCC offered a supportive environment for me to get involved and hone skills I will use in the future. My favorite aspects of EMCC have been my teachers' easily accessible office hours and the writing center. These made a huge difference in my confidence and prepared me for the challenges of a four-year university. I'm so grateful for the knowledge and experiences I've gained here!"
“I chose EMCC because it gave me the best opportunities coming out of high school. I got plenty of scholarships because the school offered so many. I would not have been able to do half of the things that I have done if i didn’t come here. First generation students are already at a disadvantage. If you are able to you should get an education to break the generational curse and create generational wealth for your family. Education is the most powerful tool.”
"EMCC isn't just a place to learn, it's home. From the vibrant festivals to the passionate instructors, every corner offered an opportunity to grow. Public speaking not only honed my interview skills but also instilled the confidence to think on my feet. Most importantly, the time at EMCC flew by because it was filled with friendships, challenges overcome, and memories made. To anyone stepping onto campus for the first time, embrace every moment, make connections, and remember - there's a whole community invested in your success."
1512 Kemper St., Scooba, MS 39358
662.476.5000
8731 South Frontage Rd., Mayhew, MS 39753
662.243.1900
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