Maricopa Community Colleges Among Nation's Top Degree Producers

Tempe, AZ (July 30, 2008) – The Maricopa Community Colleges are one of the largest educational systems in the country.  But individual Maricopa colleges also are among the nation's Top 100 Associate Degree Producers for 2008, as compiled by Community College Week magazine.

Rio Salado College ranked fourth nationally for one and two-year certificates in all disciplines over the time frame, conferring 3,270 one-year certificates, and 3,106 two-year certificates.

Mesa Community College was 44th in the nation in Associate degrees awarded among all disciplines with 1,697. MCC was also 40th in the nation with Associate degrees in all disciplines for non-minority students.

Paradise Valley Community College had the 19th biggest increase in Associate degree production over the period studied among all institutions that awarded more than 500 Associate degrees in the last five years, up 20.8 percent.

Glendale Community College ranked 91st in both categories. GCC students earned 700 one-year and 700 two-year certificates.

Community College Week, a national independent biweekly published in Fairfax, Va., annually presents a special issue on the nation's top Associate degree producers using data reported by institutions to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System, or IPEDS, which is run by the National Center for Education Statistics.

Five of the Maricopa Community Colleges were ranked in the top 100 for Associate degrees in all disciplines conferred to American Indian students:  Mesa Community College was 35th, Phoenix College 47th, Scottsdale Community College 55th, while Glendale Community College and South Mountain Community College tied for 73rd.

Among Hispanic graduates, Phoenix College ranked 69th in the country for Associate degrees among all disciplines. Mesa Community College ranked 87th in the country for Hispanic Associate degree earners.

In its analysis of academic disciplines, Community College Week ranked Scottsdale Community College 10th in the nation for Communication Technologies/Technicians & Support Services Associate degrees. Glendale Community College ranked 27th in the nation for Education degree awards.  Mesa Community College ranked 35th in the nation for awarding Nursing Associate degrees.

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About the Maricopa County Community College District

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college districts in the nation.  It includes 10 colleges -- Chandler-Gilbert Community College, Estrella Mountain Community College, GateWay Community College, Glendale Community College, Mesa Community College, Paradise Valley Community College, Phoenix College, Rio Salado College, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College. The District also includes the Maricopa Skill Center, Southwest Skill Center, several satellite campuses and business/industry; technical and customized training institutes.

About Scottsdale Community College
Scottsdale Community College offers over 1,500 academic and non-credit classes each semester. Located on the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, the campus is known for its serene atmosphere and beautiful plant and wildlife. With nearly 12,000 students, Scottsdale Community College is proud to offer high-quality, affordable programs in small class settings. From Motion Picture/Television Production and Culinary Arts to Nursing and American Indian Studies, students have a wide variety of programs from which to earn credits for university transfer, launch their careers, train for new ones, or pursue a special interest. The SCC Business Institute offers customized programs to meet the needs of local business. Scottsdale Community College is one of the ten Maricopa Community Colleges.

To learn about the many academic programs at Scottsdale Community College, call us at (480) 423-6000 or visit our website at www.scottsdalecc.edu.