Howard Community College Ranks Among Top Schools for Adult Learners

COLUMBIA, MD — Howard Community College ranks among the top two-year colleges for adult learners, according to a national survey.

Howard Community College (HCC) in Columbia ranks fourth on the list, topped only by Weber State University in Utah, Utah Valley University and Central Texas College, the Washington Monthly reports. It compiled its rankings using data from the Department of Education and the College Board, specifically evaluating transfer rates, program flexibility, service opportunities, percentage of students over age 25, loan repayment rate, earnings after attending college and tuition.

“I am honored that Washington Monthly recognized Howard Community College for its work to support adult students,” Dr. Kate Hetherington, president of Howard Community College, said in a statement.

“As a community college graduate, I know the transformational effect community colleges can have on students and their families," Hetherington said. "Howard Community College is committed to providing all students with pathways to success.”

Officials with HCC say these are some ways it offers a range of services to students:

• Online, in-person, hybrid, daytime, evening and weekend classes
• Military/veterans assistance, including credit for prior learning; two new programs offer military medics, corpsmen and Maryland licensed paramedics advanced standing in the nursing program

According to HCC, students recover the cost of their tuition investment in less than eight years.

“Every year, millions of adult Americans make the decision to go back to college to earn the degrees they need to advance their lives,” Washington Monthly Editor-in-Chief Paul Glastris said in a statement. “We hope by honoring colleges that do right by adult students, we’ll spur more colleges to do the same."

The rankings looked at more than 7,000 colleges in the U.S. for their ability to serve those above age 25 years old. Approximately 37 percent of students at HCC in fall 2015 were above the age of 25, officials said. The average age of students enrolled for credit there is 27 years old.

Glastris told The Washington Post that this ranking of two-year colleges was intended to put a focus on adult learners, who are often an "afterthought" despite making up 40 percent of college students overall.

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Photo Credit: Howard Community College/Facebook.