EFSC Cited as Among Top Florida Colleges

Eastern Florida State College has again been named among the top community colleges in Florida, this time in a study by Schools.com that cited its affordability and high graduation rates.

EFSC ranked second among the 28 members of the Florida College System for what Schools.com called “its commitment to affordability and enrichment opportunities.” The report cited low tuition, fees and costs for books and supplies, reflecting the college’s national ranking as among the most affordable public colleges in the U.S.

The report also noted the college’s high transfer rate to the State University System of Florida, credit for life experience and cultural centers like the King Center for the Performing Arts on the Melbourne Campus.

Eastern Florida ranked just behind Valencia College in Orlando that earned the top spot.

Last year, EFSC earned a prestigious Gold Rating from the Florida Board of Education for its performance in student success, one of just seven Florida state colleges to gain the distinction and ranking third overall.

Schools.com said it examined Florida’s community colleges because of the state’s efforts to use the schools to create a more educated workforce. It called the results of the strategy “nothing short of remarkable.”

“According to College Measures, Florida community colleges report one of the highest combined graduation and transfer rates in the United States, and their first-year retention rate is not far behind. Another recent report — this time from the U.S. Census Bureau — found the share of Floridians with college degrees in 2015 grew for the sixth year in a row,” the report said.

Schools.com used data from the U.S. Department of Education and National Center for Education Statistics to determine the rankings.