Montgomery County Community College’s (MCCC) online health programs have been recognized by EduMed.org as some of the top online two-year programs in the country.

EduMed.org, an organization that provides college and career information online, recently released its annual rankings of the top schools for online degrees and certificates in nursing and allied health. The rankings include more than 100 health-related subjects and cover program levels from entry-level diplomas through advanced doctorate degrees.

MCCC’s programs earned top marks for their combination of quality, affordability, online accessibility, and strong student outcomes, according to EduMed.org.

MCCC placed in the following rankings:

• #1 Best Online Associate Degree in Healthcare Administration
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• #9 Best Online Health Science Certificates
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• #31 Best Online Associate Degree in Psychology
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“This year, we enhanced our methodology by adding new data points for students to consider, particularly those focused on student outcomes,” said Wes Harris Ricketts, founder of EduMed.org. “Our goal was to highlight the schools that truly set their students up for success – both academically and beyond. This involved a much closer examination of key factors such as graduation rates, timely program completion and post-graduation career placement services.”

EduMed’s shift to more outcome-driven rankings comes at a time when the topic of nursing student attrition remains front-and-center. According to the National League for Nursing (NLN), the nationwide dropout rate for baccalaureate nursing programs is between 20 and 25 percent. In California, the Board of Registered Nursing reported an average 10 percent attrition rate statewide for BSN programs in 2022, with some schools exceeding 50 percent.

“These challenges are not exclusive to nursing,” said Ricketts. “Students in other health-related fields often face similar struggles. Reducing attrition begins with making education more affordable, accessible and student-centered. Schools that go the extra mile by offering comprehensive support give students the confidence and motivation to complete their programs and thrive in their careers.”

EduMed.org researched and analyzed more than 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and from the schools themselves. The website’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualifying schools for each healthcare discipline. Primary data points include:

• Number of online programs
• Average in-state tuition
• Percent of total students taking at least one distance education class
• Amount of institutional grant aid awarded to students
• Student/faculty ratio
• Percent of full-time student completion – 6 years
• Academic counseling
• Career placement

To be eligible for ranking consideration, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the ranking subject.

MCCC’s inclusion in these rankings reflects its commitment to delivering high-quality, accessible education that prepares students for success in healthcare and beyond.