Awards & Recognitions

NCC has been the recipient of several national awards over the past several years:

#1 in the Nation
Best Online Community College

#3 in the Nation
Online College

#11 in the Nation
2017 Best Colleges

Other Recognitions

2022:

• Top 10 Finalist for the 2023 Aspen Prize (Aspen Institute)
• Top 25 Semifinalist for 2023 Aspen Prize (Aspen Institute)
• #1 in the Nation—Best Community College in the USA for International Students (betastudies.com)
• #2 in the Nation—Best Overall Community College (wallethub.com)
• #2 in the Nation—Best Career Outcomes (wallethub.com)
• #5 in the Nation for Two-Year Colleges with the Best Three-Year Graduation Rates (Chronicle of Higher Education)
• #6 in the Nation—Associate-Granting Public Institutions in the US by Median Lifetime Return on Investment (Bipartisan Policy Center)
• #3 Agricultural Online Program in the Nation (Online Schools Guide)
• #4 Best Associate Degrees in Automotive Technology (BestAccreditedColleges.org)
• #6 Best Online Associate in Accounting Degrees (BestAccreditedColleges.org)
• #25 Best Associate Degrees in Liberal Arts (BestAccreditedColleges.org) 
• #1 Online College in Iowa (University HQ)  
• #1 Associate of Arts Program in Iowa (University HQ)

2021:
• Top 150 College for 2023 Aspen Prize (Aspen Institute)
• #11 in the Midwest Best Practical Nursing program (nursingprocess.org)
• #12 in the Nation Best Associate Degree Program in Nursing (bestaccreditedcolleges.org)
• #17 in the Nation Best Associate in Accounting Degree (bestaccreditedcolleges.org)

2020:
• #11 in the Nation Online Associate in Criminal Justice Degree Program (TheBestSchools.org)

2019:
• #5 in the Nation Best Online Associate in Computer Science Programs (thebestschools.org)
• #10 in the Nation Best Automotive Trade Programs (tradeschoolgrants.com)
• #17 in the Nation Best Online Certificate in Medical Coding Program (BestColleges.com)

2018:
#3 in the Nation Associate in Human Services Degree Programs (TheBestSchools.org)
• #9 in the Nation Health Information Technology Degree Program (TheBestSchools.org)

2017:
• #2 in the Nation Pharmacy Technician Program (TheBestColleges.org)
• #2 in Iowa for 2 Year Colleges (LearnHowtoBecome.org)
• #4 in Iowa Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN) program (PracticalNursing.org)

2016:
• #12 in the Nation Online Associate Degree Program (BestColleges.com)
• #1 in Iowa Best Two Year College (BestColleges.com)