ORANGE, Calif. – Santiago Canyon College (SCC) has been ranked the No. 1 community college in Orange County, No. 8 in California, and No. 16 in the nation by Niche.com in its recently released 2025 Best Community College list.
The independent college ranking organization based its analysis on a range of data points, including academic quality, faculty and student achievement, diversity, student life, and post-graduation outcomes. The 2025 rankings reflect a significant climb for SCC, which was ranked No. 51 nationally and No. 16 in California just a year ago.
Rankings were determined using the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) through the National Center for Education Statistics, as well as the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Postsecondary Education.
“These rankings highlight the unwavering commitment of our students, faculty, classified professionals, and administrators, who work together every day to deliver high-quality academic and support services,” said SCC President Jeannie G. Kim, Ph.D. “As our college motto says, ‘What Happens Here Matters.’ Whether students are pursuing degrees and certificates for career advancement, gaining skills to meet workforce demands in industries like healthcare, or preparing to transfer to leading universities such as UCLA, UCI, USC, Stanford, Harvard, or CSUF, SCC is here to support their goals and success.”
For more information about SCC’s programs and services, visit www.sccollege.edu.
About Santiago Canyon College
Santiago Canyon College (SCC) is designated as a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is one of two colleges in the Rancho Santiago Community College District , serving approximately 17,000 students annually. Accredited in 2000, this dynamic and award-winning institution is located in the city of Orange and provides an array of educational opportunities to more than 195,000 residents comprising the community. SCC offers 221 degree and certificate programs (including 28 associate degrees for transfer). SCC has been ranked among the “50 Best Community Colleges" in the U.S. by College Choice, recognized multiple times by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of “The Great Colleges to Work For," received Gold-level status as a Military Friendly School®, and boasts award-winning, dedicated faculty, high-quality and student-centered education, and has an excellent university transfer rate supported by transfer-guarantee programs.