19 August WalletHub ranks ICC best in the state for fourth consecutive year August 19, 2021 By Thomas, Donna S. General 0 Itawamba Community College has again ranked first among all public two-year institutions in Mississippi in a recently-released WalletHub study that surveyed hundreds of community colleges across the United States. In order to determine the best community colleges in the United States, the financial institution WalletHub selected a sample of 650 schools from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges. The schools were evaluated based on cost and financing and both education and career outcomes. ICC was also ranked first in 2018, 2019 and 2020. “For 70 plus years, providing affordable and accessible education has always been a significant component of Itawamba Community College’s mission,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “National recognition of the College in this area is an indication that ICC is fulfilling that mission and serving our students, who are our top priority. Their success is our success.” According to WalletHub, cost is often a major consideration when choosing a college. “And with tuition rates continuing to rise every year – not to mention all of the other expenses related to attendance – many would-be students are unable to afford a university education. That’s even more of a concern this year as lots of people deal with financial struggles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.” Other than affordability, WalletHub says that community colleges have a number of attractive qualities, including more flexible schedules, smaller class sizes and rigorous coursework. The average age of community college students is 28, and a vast majority of these students balance their studies with jobs, family or both, commitments that often limit their enrollment options. According to the latest information from the American Association of Community Colleges, 62 percent of all full-time and 72 percent of part-time students at community colleges work. Fifty nine percent of all students receive some type of financial aid. ICC’s tuition has been consistently ranked among the lowest offered by Mississippi’s 15 community colleges. The study included the rankings for 12 Mississippi schools, listed in order by highest to lowest community college rankings in Mississippi: Itawamba Community College, Pearl River Community College, Hinds Community College, East Mississippi Community College, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, Northeast Mississippi Community College, East Central Community College, Coahoma Community College, Meridian Community College, Jones College, Holmes Community College and Mississippi Delta Community College. Related Articles WalletHub ranks ICC first among all state public two-year institutions Itawamba Community College has ranked first among all public state two-year institutions in a WalletHub study that surveyed hundreds of community colleges across the United States. In order to determine the best community colleges in the United States, the financial institution WalletHub selected a sample of 698 schools from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges. The schools were evaluated based on cost and financing and both education and career outcomes. “For 70 plus years, providing affordable and accessible education has always been a significant component of Itawamba Community College’s mission,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “National recognition of the College in this area is an indication that ICC is fulfilling that mission and serving our students who are our top priority. Their success is our success.” According to WalletHub, community colleges are a more attractive option especially this year as many individuals are struggling financially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other than affordability, community colleges provide more flexible schedules, smaller classes sizes and rigorous coursework. The average age ... WalletHub ranks ICC Best Community College in Mississippi for 2018 Itawamba Community College has been ranked the Best Community College in Mississippi for 2018 by WalletHub. In order to determine the best community colleges in the nation, WalletHub selected a sample of 715 schools from the list of member institutions in the American Association of Community Colleges. The schools were evaluated on the basis of cost and financing as well as both education and career outcomes. According to WalletHub, “Community colleges offer students the ability to get higher education without having as much financial strain. During the 2017-18 academic year, tuition and fees for full-time, in-state enrollment at a public two-year college averaged $3,750 per year.” ICC’s yearly tuition and fees are $3,160. In addition, WalletHub notes that other than serving as affordable, “community colleges often provide more flexible schedules, smaller class sizes and rigorous coursework…These qualities appeal especially to students who need to balance their studies with other commitments, such as family and work.” “Providing affordable and accessible education is a significant component of Itawamba Community College’s mission,” said ICC President Dr. ... BestColleges.com recognizes ICC as best in Mississippi and among nation's top 10 Itawamba Community College has been recognized as the best online community college in Mississippi and among the top 10 in the nation by BestColleges.com, a leading online resource for college planning and advice. “It is a tremendous honor for Itawamba Community College to be selected the best in the state and among the best in the nation by BestColleges.com,” said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. “Exceptional recognitions such as this are indications of the success of the College, its continuing status as a premier community college and a testament to our exceptional faculty and staff, without whom it would not be possible. Success breeds success, and our students and alumni are proof that the BEST start here.” This year, BestColleges.com revised its approach to school rankings, focusing on the most important factors that students consider in their college-decision making process,” according to information from Nicholas Linden, senior communications manager. The metrics were taken directly from its College Choice and Admission survey, reflecting the top preferences and priorities of students from across the country. In the 2023 College Choice and ... ICC ranks among state leaders in full-time enrollment increase Itawamba Community College ranks among the leaders in the state in full-time enrollment increase, according to figures released this week by the Mississippi Community College Board. With spring enrollment at 4,774 at the end of the 10-day reporting period, figures from spring 2024-spring 2025 show a 6.7 percent increase, which comes after a multi-year increase in both fall and spring enrollments. The continuing increase over the last two reporting periods can be attributed to multiple factors, according to ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. They include additional housing opportunities tailored to student needs, including the addition of Magnolia Hall, exclusively for student leaders, and reopening of both Sheffield and Monroe Halls with spaces designed to accommodate the ICC student of today as well as an enhanced emphasis on activities.” “This very exciting news demonstrates a collaborative effort between all areas of the college to allow for continued enrollment growth,” Allen said. “What the figures don’t show is that residence halls remain at a more than 95 percent capacity this spring. The increase in the number of students that ... ICC's Patterson selected state MAACE Administrator of Year Linzy Patterson of Amory, director of adult education at Itawamba Community College, has been selected as the recipient of the 2021-22 Mississippi Association of Adult and Community Education Administrator of the Year award. In January 2018, Patterson joined ICC’s Adult Education department as an instructor at the Amory WIN Center, and in 2019-20, he was transferred to the Belden Center to serve as lead instructor. During this time, he was a member of the state SmartStart professional development committee as well as the TABE Frequently Asked Questions Manual committee. In August 2021, he was promoted to ICC’s director of adult education. Patterson began his professional career with the Amory School District in 2010, serving as a special education instructor along with assistant football, soccer and tennis coach. He was selected as Teacher of the Year for the 2014-15 school year. Patterson’s nominator for the award said, “Having come from a special education background, he is especially sensitive to the needs of those students. He has established connections with community groups, including the Regional ... ICC ranks second in state in producing more bachelor's degrees than any other community college Recent data from Mississippi’s Institutions of Higher Learning shows students who graduate from Itawamba Community College and transfer to a university receive their degree with a grade point average above the state average. In addition, ICC graduates earn their college credentials with a higher GPA than students who begin their university studies during their freshman year. The statistics also indicate that ICC ranks second in the state in producing more bachelor’s degrees than any other community college, 12 short of first place, which is held by an institution that doubles our enrollment, said ICC President Dr. Jay Allen. Students who began their college careers at ICC and transferred to a university graduated from there with an average GPA of 3.28. The average among all IHL graduates is 3.23. ICC graduates finish with higher GPA than the average completion GPA of all Mississippi community colleges and institutions of higher learning,” Allen said. “ICC’s priority is our students, and it is our mission to provide them with a quality educational foundation, no matter where their life journey takes them,” Allen ... Comments are closed.