Northwest Iowa Community College has received additional national recognition for its overall value and the career outcomes of its students.
CollegeXpress ranked the Sheldon-based college third on its list of the Top 20 Community Colleges in the United States. NCC received an overall score of 67.21.
CollegeXpress is a college-search and planning resource offering information about colleges, scholarships and the application process. Its community-college rankings are drawn from WalletHub research comparing hundreds of institutions nationwide.
NCC Stands Out for Career Outcomes
NCC also ranked eighth nationally for Career Outcomes in WalletHub’s latest Best and Worst Community Colleges study.
The Career Outcomes category considers student-loan default rates, median earnings after attending college, and the percentage of former students who earn more than the average earnings of a high school graduate.
WalletHub compared more than 600 community colleges using indicators related to cost, education and career outcomes.
NCC says the recognition reflects the college’s focus on preparing students for life after graduation, whether they plan to enter the workforce, advance in their current careers or transfer to a four-year college or university.
History of National Recognition
The latest rankings add to NCC’s history of recognition from national organizations.
The college has been eligible for every cycle of the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence since the program began. NCC was named one of 10 finalists for the 2023 Aspen Prize and was selected as a Top 20 institution for the 2025 prize.
As NCC marks its 60th year, college officials say the recognition reflects its longstanding commitment to providing affordable, high-quality education and creating opportunities for students’ long-term success.
