April 4, 2017
Laurel Ridge has been ranked Virginia’s No. 2 community college by LearnHowToBecome.org, which researches careers and their accompanying educational requirements.
The organization divided colleges by whether they are two-year or four-year institutions.
“The schools on our list have shown that they offer the educational experience and resources that leave their students career-ready,” LearnHowToBecome.org Senior Vice President Wes Ricketts says.
LearnHowToBecome.org looked at colleges that are regionally-accredited and not-for-profit. Factors that were considered when ranking schools were employment and academic resources, salaries among graduates 10 years after starting college, financial aid opportunities, graduation rates and student/teacher ratios.
Tidewater Community College received a score of 99.81, and was followed in the No. 2 spot by Laurel Ridge with a score of 99.23. Laurel Ridge scored better than Tidewater when it comes to graduation rate, student/teacher ratio, alumni salaries and financial aid, but Tidewater offers a higher number of programs.
Rounding out the top 5 list were Southwest Virginia Community College, Danville Community College and Central Virginia Community College.
“While this stellar ranking is gratifying, it really confirms what we here at Laurel Ridge already know – our students are able to take advantage of small classes taught by highly-qualified professors while receiving the individualized academic guidance that will steer them onto the pathway to a successful career,” Laurel Ridge President Dr. Cheryl Thompson-Stacy says.
LearnHowToBecome.Org’s ranking of community colleges can be seen here: http://www.learnhowtobecome.org/college/virginia/.
Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.