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Ten Finalists Named for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence

The Aspen Institute has revealed the ten exceptional community colleges contending for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This prestigious award, backed by a generous $1 million donation, recognizes institutions that are committed to achieving outstanding student outcomes, particularly in helping graduates secure jobs with sustainable wages and successfully transition to four-year universities.

Historically, community colleges in the United States have played an essential role in offering educational pathways for millions of students, providing access and affordability in higher education. Presently, these institutions enroll 40% of undergraduates nationwide, proving vital for individuals seeking to improve their lives and expand their economic opportunities.

With a progressive shift from mere access to student success in recent decades, graduation rates for community colleges have increased significantly—by more than 13 percentage points. However, challenges remain; over one-third of the degrees awarded by community colleges do not lead to promising job opportunities or successful transfers to four-year institutions. To tackle this issue, the 2027 Aspen Prize finalists have implemented innovative reforms and effective practices aimed at enhancing both completion rates and post-program outcomes.

Finalists for the 2027 Aspen Prize

The ten colleges categorized as finalists are:
1. Chippewa Valley Technical College (WI)
2. Forsyth Technical Community College (NC)
3. Lorain County Community College (OH)
4. Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MS)
5. Patrick Henry Community College (VA)
6. South Puget Sound Community College (WA)
7. Stanly Community College (NC)
8. Tallahassee State College (FL)
9. Tri-County Technical College (SC)
10. Wallace State Community College-Hanceville (AL)

Josh Wyner, the executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program, emphasized that achieving the remarkable results demonstrated by these ten finalists requires significant changes across various institutional practices including program design and student support services. The goal is to understand the strategies these colleges have employed to reach their current levels of success so that such models can inspire the efforts of more than 1,000 community colleges across the country.

Criteria for Selection

The selection process for the Aspen Prize is rigorous and involves a comprehensive analysis of data and application materials over nearly two years. The indicators assessed include student learning outcomes, credential completion rates, labor market performance, and transfer rates to four-year degree programs.

Completion Rates

While 37% of community college students nationwide complete their credentials within four years, the finalists for this year showcase standout completion rates:

• - Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College: 47%
• - Patrick Henry Community College: 47%
• - Stanly Community College: 49%

Labor Market Success

For students transitioning into the workforce, median earnings data tell a significant story. For example:

• - Chippewa Valley Technical College boasts median earnings that are 21% ($9,000) above the living wage in its service area.
• - Wallace State Community College exhibits median earnings 11% ($5,000) higher than the local living wage.

Transfer and Bachelor's Completion Outcomes

The Aspen Prize finalists have shown impressive transfer and bachelor’s degree completion rates, noteworthy statistics include:

• - Forsyth Technical College: 58% bachelor’s degree completion rate for transfer students, up from 47%.
• - South Puget Sound Community College: 61% of transfer students complete their degree within six years.

The meticulous screening began in October 2025, wherein approximately 200 colleges were selected and invited to apply based on their student outcome data. From these, a 15-member independent committee chose 25 semifinalists, ultimately narrowing it down to the present 10 finalists, all distinguished by their exceptional student achievement metrics.

In the autumn of 2026, experts will conduct thorough site visits to each finalist institution to perform additional evaluations and review supplementary data to finalize the selection of the Aspen Prize winner, which will be revealed in April 2027.

Pascale Charlot, managing director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program and former campus president at Miami Dade College, reflects on the significance of such recognitions, stating that being named a finalist and a past winner spotlighted the transformative power of community colleges, which contribute significantly to the academic and professional success of students across the nation.

To assist community colleges in measuring their performance against peers and tracking their progress, the Aspen Institute has launched a free benchmarking tool containing key metrics used in the evaluations of nearly 1,000 community colleges. For insights into the selection process and past winners, visit Aspen Institute.

Through initiatives like the Aspen Prize, the Aspen Institute aims to strengthen higher education leadership and practice, directly contributing to enhanced student outcomes, economic mobility, and a skilled workforce beneficial to society. Founded in 1949, the Aspen Institute continues to engage in dialogue, leadership initiatives, and action strategies to address critical societal issues, with its headquarters in Washington, D.C.

For more information about the Aspen Institute and its programs, visit www.aspeninstitute.org.