Recognition

With among the highest graduation and retention rates in the state of Minnesota (and among the lowest tuition), Alexandria Technical & Community College provides high quality education at a fraction of the cost of a university. The national and state rankings below are evidence of our ongoing commitment to excellence.

2025    |   2024    |   2023    |    2022 & Older   

 

2025 Recognition

Niche 2025

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#1 Best Online Colleges in Minnesota
#18 Best Online Colleges in U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


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Best Online Community Colleges & Trade Schools

#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Intelligent-Best-Online-Associate-in-Medical-Assisting-Programs-2025

Best Online Associate in Medical Assisting

#3 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Intelligent-Best-Community-Colleges-2025

Best Community Colleges

In the Top 20 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Intelligent-Best-Online-Associate-in-Human-Services-Programs-2025

Best Online Associate in Human Services

In the Top 20 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Intelligent-Best-Online-Associate-in-Medical-Office-Administration-Programs-2025

Best Online Associate in Medical Office Administration

In the Top 20 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Learn.org

Best Community Colleges

Top 20 Community College in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes.


EduMed 2025 1080

Best Online SLPA Program

#1 in U.S.

Rankings based on program affordability, quality, graduation rates, and post-graduation career success.


EduMed 2025 1080

Most Affordable Online Human Services Degrees

#2 in U.S.

Rankings based on program affordability, quality, graduation rates, and post-graduation career success.


EduMed 2025 1080

Best Online Medical Billing and Coding Program

#2 in Minnesota
#12 in U.S.

Rankings based on program affordability, quality, graduation rates, and post-graduation career success.


EduMed 2025 1080

Best Online Social Work Programs

#4 in U.S.

Rankings based on program affordability, quality, graduation rates, and post-graduation career success.

2024 Recognition

wallethub-best-award

Best Community Colleges

#2 in Minnesota
#22 Community College in the U.S.

Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.


online-associates-human-services

Best Online Associate in Human Services

#8 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


#7 Online Associate in Cybersecurity

Best Online Associate in Cybersecurity

#7 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


#5 Best Online Community Colleges

Best Online Community Colleges

#5 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


#2 Online Associate in Sociology

Best Online Associate in Sociology

#2 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


#2 Best Online Community Colleges in Minnesota

Best Online Community Colleges

#2 in Minnesota

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


best-associates-colleges-minnesota

Best Associate Colleges

#1 in Minnesota

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Military Friendly School Silver 2024-25

Military Friendly Silver School

Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.


University Magazine

Best Online Colleges

#8 in the U.S.

Rankings based on course selection, accreditation, and student support.


Best-Online-Medical-Coding-Programs-Badge-2024

Best Online Medical Coding Degree Programs

#9 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Best-Associate-in-Business-Administration-Programs

Best Associate in Business Administration

#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Best-Online-Associate-in-Medical-Assisting-Programs-Badge-2024

Best Online Associate in Medical Assisting

#3 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Intelligent

Best Online Trade School

#9 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Best-Online-Associate-Degrees-Badge-2024

Best Online Associate Degrees

#3 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.



bold.org

Best Technical College

Top 5 in Minnesota

aspen-prize-top-150-2023

2025 Aspen Prize Eligible

Top 150 in the U.S.

Eligibility awarded to the Top 150 Community Colleges in the United States. ATCC has been consistently eligible for the award since its inception in 2011.


PSW TP

Best Pre-Social Work Transfer Pathway

#1 in the U.S.

STEPS establishes their ranking by considering various factors such as study format and flexibility, affordability, a comprehensive curriculum, and proper accreditation.


Niche 2024

Best Community Colleges

#2 in Minnesota
#22 Online College in the U.S.

Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.


Award Announcement Working File

Best Online Speech-Language Pathology Program

#1 in the U.S.

Rankings based on number of programs, total cost, financial aid, support services, career placement, and other program data from the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.

 

2023 Recognition

World Scholarship Vault

Best Motorcycle, & Powersports Technician program

World Scholarship Vault named our Marine, Motorcycle, & Powersports Technician program #8 in the world for Motorcycle Mechanic programs.


Wallethub-Best-Award

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#5 in the U.S.
#9 in the U.S. for Career Outcomes

Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.


Niche 2022 Best Colleges

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#28 in the U.S.

Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.


Niche 2022 Best Colleges

Best Online Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#8 in the U.S.

Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.


Military Friendly Silver 2023-2024

Military Friendly Silver School

Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.


2023-univhq-best-online

Best Online Associate Degrees

#1 in Minnesota
#30 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


2023-univhq-best-mn

Best Associate Degrees

#1 in Minnesota

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


2023-univhq-best-socio

Best Online Associate Degree in Sociology

#2 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


2023-univhq-best-cyber

Best Online Associate Degree in Cybersecurity

#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


2023-univhq-best-human-svcs

Best Online Associate Degree in Human Services

#6 in the U.S.

Rankings based on affordability, academics, and graduate outcomes. Data from College Navigator, College Scorecard, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.


EduMed Logo

Best Online Speech-Language Pathology Program

#1 in the U.S.

Rankings based on number of programs, total cost, financial aid, support services, career placement, and other program data from the U.S. Department of Education and IPEDS.


EduMed Logo

Best Online Medical Assisting Program

#1 in the U.S.

Rankings based on full- and part-time retention rate, graduation rate, average net price, and percentage of enrolled students receiving financial aid. Data from IPEDS and College Navigator.


best-college-mn-2023

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#7 in the U.S.

Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.


best-college-online-2023

Best Online Community Colleges

#2 in Minnesota
#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.


Best-Associate-Degrees-2023-Badge-1024x1024

Best Online Associate Degrees

#3 in the U.S. – Best for Individualized Studies

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


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Best Medical Coding Certificate Programs

#2 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Best-Online-Certificate-in-Medical-Billing-and-Coding-Programs-1024x1024

Best Online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding

#6 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Intelligent.com Best Associate in Business Administration

Best Associate in Business Administration

#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.


Intelligent.com Best Human Services Degree Programs

Best Human Services Degree Programs

#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment.

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2022 Recognition

Wallethub-Best-Award

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#3 in the U.S.
#5 in the U.S. for Career Outcomes

Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.


Niche 2022 Best Colleges

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#21 in the U.S.

Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.


Niche 2022 Best Colleges

Best Online Colleges

#2 in Minnesota

(runner-up behind U of M Crookston)

#18 in the U.S.

Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.


chronicle-of-higher-education-logo

Highest Graduation Rates

#1 in Minnesota
#17 in the U.S.

Among 2-year colleges, based on graduation rates for first-time, full-time, degree-seeking students who entered in the fall of 2017 and completed within 150% of program duration


US CYBERCOM

U.S. Cyber Command Partner

Selected to be part of the US Cyber Command (CYBERCOM) Academic Engagement Network (AEN)

Alexandria College is the only Minnesota institution selected for this partner program. A total of 84 institutions (70 universities and 14 community colleges)


National Centers of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity

National Center of Academic Excellence in Cybersecurity: Cyber Defense

The CAE-CD designation indicates that Alexandria College is helping reduce threats to our national infrastructure by promoting higher education and research in cyber defense as well as provide the nation with a pipeline of qualified cybersecurity professionals. The designation is awarded by the NSA to regionally accredited academic institutions offering cybersecurity degrees and/or certificates at the associate, bachelor’s and graduate levels.


Inclusive Workforce Employer

Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE)

Alexandria College was recognized with the Inclusive Workforce Employer (I-WE) Designation by the Regional Workforce Alliance (RWA) of Northwest Minnesota for our "commitment to and development of an inclusive and equitable culture within our business and the region."


Military Friendly Silver 2022-23

Military Friendly Silver School

Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.


U.S. Best College 2022

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#5 in the U.S.

Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.


U.S. Best Online College 2022

Best Online Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#3 in the U.S.

Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.


UniversityHQ Best Online Associate & Community Colleges in Minnesota 2022

Best Colleges | Online

#1 Community College in Minnesota

Rankings based tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting pay.


UniversityHQ Best Associate Degree Colleges in Minnesota 2022

Best Colleges | Associate Degrees

#1 in Minnesota

Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.


UniversityHQ Best Online Associate Degree in Cybersecurity 2022

Best Online Associate Degree in Cybersecurity

#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.


UniversityHQ Best Online Associate Degree in Human Services 2022

Best Online Associate Degree in Human Services

#6 in the U.S.

Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.

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2021 Recognition

Aspen Prize Top 150 - 2023

2023 Aspen Prize Eligible

Top 150 in the U.S.

Eligibility awarded to the Top 150 Community Colleges in the United States. ATCC has been consistently eligible for the award since its inception in 2011.


Wallethub-Best-Award

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#14 in the U.S.

Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.


Best Associate Degree Colleges in Minnesota 2021, University HQ

Best Colleges | Associate Degrees

#1 in Minnesota

Rankings based on tuition cost, retention rate, graduation rate, and graduate starting salary.


hands holding money

Community Colleges with the best ROI

Top 100 in the U.S.

4,500 colleges ranked by the highest 40-year return on investment (ROI) as found in a study by Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce.


Military-Friendly-2021-22

Military Friendly School

Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.


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Best Community Colleges

#28 in the U.S.

Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.


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Best Online Community Colleges

#30 in the U.S.

Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate.


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Most Affordable Technical & Trade Schools

#48 in the U.S.

Rankings based on cost, reputation, and student success rate, including graduate salaries.


Healthcare Degree Search Med Admin

Best Value Health & Medical Administrative Services Schools

#1 in the U.S.
#1 in the Plains States Region
#1 in Minnesota

Rankings based on tuition rate, quality of program, and graduate outcomes.


RNCareers.org Best Nursing Programs

Best Associate Degree in Nursing

#1 in Minnesota

Rankings based on first-time NCLEX-RN pass rates, program accreditation, program cost, and graduation/retention rates.


Intelligent.com Best Medical Coding Program

Best Medical Coding Degrees

#4 in the U.S.

Rankings based on curriculum quality, graduation rate, reputation, and post-graduate employment. Also ranked within top 50 nationally for Business Administration Associate Degrees and Human Services Degrees.


CourseAdvisor Best Business Administration & Management Colleges

Best Business Administration & Management Degrees

#8 in the Plains States Region

Rankings based on student success metrics, post graduation wages, and availability of online/flexible learning options.


Niche 2021 Best Colleges

Best Two-Year Colleges

#4 in Minnesota

Rankings based on student reviews and data from the U.S. Department of Education.


Best Value Schools logo

Best Paralegal Associate Degree

#3 in the U.S.

Rankings based on accreditation, tuition rates, and program credit hours.


Best Associate Degree in Graphic Design

Best Associate Degree in Graphic Design

#11 in the U.S.

Rankings based on accreditation, tuition rates, and program credit hours.

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2020 Recognition

WalletHub Best Community Colleges 2020

Best Community Colleges

#1 in Minnesota
#8 in the U.S.

Rankings based on tuition cost, financial aid, student achievement outcomes, and career placement/wages after graduation.


Military Friendly School 2020-2021

Military Friendly School

Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.


Best Online Community College in Minnesota

Best Online Community Colleges

#2 in Minnesota
#20 in the U.S.

Rankings based on retention rate and student achievement outcomes.


Best Colleges 2020 - Grad Reports

Best Associate Degrees in Automotive Technology

#4 in the U.S.

The Diesel Mechanics program was ranked among the best in the nation for median starting salary among graduates.


Best Colleges 2020 - Grad Reports

Best Associate Degrees in Graphic Design

#5 in the U.S.

The Communication Art & Design program was ranked among the best in the nation for median starting salary among graduates.


Best Community Colleges TBS

Best Community Colleges in the United States

#27 in the U.S.

Rankings based on student achievement outcomes, cost-to-value, and additional criteria.

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2019 Recognition

Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence Top 150 - 2021

2021 Aspen Prize Eligible

Top 150 in the U.S.

Eligibility awarded to the Top 150 Community Colleges in the United States. ATCC has been consistently eligible for the award since its inception in 2011.


Best Community Colleges

#2 in Minnesota
#7 in the U.S.

Based on quality and affordability


military-friendly-2019-20

Military Friendly School

Rankings based on student retention, graduation, job placement, and completion rates for all students and, specifically, for student veterans.


Highest Graduation Rates

#1 in Minnesota
#17 in the U.S.

Among 2-year colleges, based on 3-year graduation rates