Vance-Granville Community College was recently recognized by a national organization as one of the top ten community colleges in North Carolina, and by another organization as one of the top 20 two-year colleges in the state for online programs. In addition, three of the college’s degree programs have been spotlighted with high rankings, as well.

VGCC placed seventh on the list of the top community colleges in the state published by BestColleges.com. The website noted that VGCC offers more than 40 programs in the arts and sciences, business and applied technologies, and health sciences. “Though the institution has grown substantially since its founding in 1969,” the organization said, “VGCC still offers its students small classes and individual support from instructors.”
Texas-based BestColleges.com was founded in 2012 with the mission of helping prospective students find the college that best meets their needs. Visitors to BestColleges.com can find tools and resources to help them succeed throughout their higher education career. Those in the college planning stage can take advantage of college rankings, a searchable database of schools, and financial planning guides.

Meanwhile, the California-based Community for Accredited Online Schools (AccreditedSchoolsOnline.org) ranked VGCC 19th in its list of the “Best Online Schools in North Carolina for 2017.” CFAOS was founded in 2011 to provide students and parents with quality data and information about pursuing an affordable education that has been certified by an accrediting agency.

VGCC has expanded its online course offerings in recent years. In 2015, the college launched the VOLT (Vanguard Online Learning through Technology) initiative, primarily with working adults in mind. Through VOLT, six two-year degree programs are now offered 100-percent online — Associate in Arts and Associate in Science (both also known as “College Transfer”), Business Administration, Criminal Justice, Medical Office Administration – Coding Specialist, and Supply Chain Management. In addition, students can take online courses in combination with traditional face-to-face courses to complete any VGCC degree program.

“We wanted to highlight schools like Vance-Granville Community College, who are providing exceptional education programs online,” said Doug Jones, CEO and Founder of the Community for Accredited Online Schools. “These colleges offer an outstanding educational experience, upholding rigorous accreditation standards and show an overall commitment to maximizing student success.”

The organization went on to single out two programs as among not just the best in the state but in the entire nation. The VGCC Early Childhood Education program was ranked 13th among two-year college programs throughout the United States, while the Information Technology program was ranked 45th in the country.

The VGCC Early Childhood Education program is accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC). VGCC offers not only the two-year associate degree in Early Childhood Education, but also a three-semester diploma program and three certificate options, as well as a certificate in Infant/Toddler Care.

VGCC offers a two-year degree in Information Technology, with “track” options to allow students to specialize in Business Support, Networking & Security Track, Simulation & Game Development, and Web Design & Support. In addition, a two-semester Information Technology diploma program and certificate programs in CISCO Networking, Simulation & Game Development Design Fundamentals and Software Specialist are offered not only to adult learners but also to eligible high school students as a Career and College Promise (CCP) Pathway.

Houston, Texas-based AffordableColleges.com recently ranked the VGCC Criminal Justice Technology program as one of the nation’s 40 most affordable online associate degrees in that field. VGCC’s program came in at number 22 on that list. “In a review of schools across the nation, VGCC’s program stood out in both quality and affordability,” according to Emily Reed of AffordableColleges.com. The mission of the organization is to help students find schools and programs that match their educational interests while still being affordable. “Designed to prepare graduates for myriad roles at the county, state, or federal government levels as well as roles at private companies, this all-encompassing degree is an excellent path into either a career or a four-year degree program,” the website stated in describing the VGCC Criminal Justice program. “Requiring the completion of 65 to 66 credits in total, this program emphasizes studies in criminology, criminal law, investigative principles, ethics, and the criminal justice system as a whole.”

Registration is going on now for the fall semester at VGCC, which begins Aug. 14. For more information, visit www.vgcc.edu.

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