Texas Border Business
Laredo College is off to a great start to the 2021-2022 academic year, proudly announcing that it has been ranked as the top community college in the state by BestColleges.com. The college garnered this same accolade in 2020.
BestColleges.com is an online resource that aims to help prospective students find the schools that best meet their needs through proprietary research, user-friendly guides and hundreds of independent college rankings.
The site provides students with direct connections to schools and programs that suit their educational needs through their degree resources and program rankings. Their website states that rankings are intended to inform and guide prospective students toward institutions that provide quality education and meaningful learning experiences at affordable costs.
According to their website, the methodology for these rankings is grounded in statistical data and a few consistently applied guiding principles, including academic quality, affordability and online competency.
The 2021 rankings reflect the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. Academics–full-time and part-time retention rate, graduation rate and transfer rate–and affordability–average net price and percentage of enrolled students taking federal loans–were the two main ranking factors.
Laredo College Board President Lupita Zepeda praised the remarkable team effort of LC administrators, faculty and staff in always putting students’ needs first and quickly adapting and innovating in the face of changes and challenges impacting higher education.
“At Laredo College, our mission remains learner-centered as we strive to transform lives through educational programs and services,” Zepeda said. “This stellar designation could not be timelier, as we are on the eve of celebrating 75 years of history and legacy that our college has cemented in our community. This accomplishment, like all other Laredo College achievements, is a reflection of the rigorous academic standards and institutional effectiveness our college community has always prioritized.”
Laredo College offers not only certified, award-winning programs, degrees and certifications but also vibrant student life activities, visual and performing art shows, Lamar Bruni Vergara Environmental Science Center, extensive veteran services, adult and continuing education courses and networking opportunities through our multiple partnerships with local, state and federal public and private sector entities as well as through our very own Laredo College Economic Development Center.
“This recognition would not be possible without the myriad contributions of all our LC community which includes employees, students and the Laredo community,” Laredo College Interim President Dr. Marisela Rodriguez Tijerina said. “It is truly an honor to be ranked as the #1 Texas Community College for the second year in a row. The ranking also demonstrates the positive impacts we do for Laredo College students and for our community.”
