South Georgia Technical College included in The Chronicle of Higher Education for outstanding graduation rates for 2nd year
South Georgia Technical College was featured recently in The Chronicle of Higher Education for two-year colleges with the best three-year graduation rates. SGTC was ranked as the 18th best nationally, announced South Georgia Technical College President Dr. John Watford. This was the second consecutive year that South Georgia Tech had been recognized for its outstanding graduation rates.
The rankings were released in the August, 2022 edition of The Chronicle of Higher Education and South Georgia Technical College was the 18th best two-year public college in the nation for graduation rates of first-time, full-time, degree or certificate seeking students who entered in the fall of 2017 and completed an associate degree or earned a certificate at the same institution within 150 percent of the normal time to completion for that program. Students pursuing two-year degrees for example, counted as graduating if they had completed the program in three years (by August 31, 2020). SGTC was ranked 11th in 2021.
“South Georgia Technical College has led the Technical College System of Georgia as the most efficient college for the past six years in graduation and retention rates based on enrollment numbers and now we are being recognized by The Chronicle of Higher Education for the second consecutive year as one of the top colleges in the nation for those same indicators or measures,” said SGTC President Dr. John Watford.
Hacienda La Puente Adult Education was listed as the top two-year public institution with the best three-year college rates. They had an adjusted cohort of 807 students and 701 of those students completed their designated programs within 150% of expected time for an overall completion rate of 86.9%.
The other colleges listed in the top 10 with best graduation rates were: Carver Career Center, Central Pennsylvania Institute of Science and Technology, Mitchell Technical Institute, State Technical College of Missouri, Lancaster County Career and Technology Center, Frontier Community College, Lake Area Technical Institute, North Central Kansas Technical College and Flint Hills Technical College.
South Georgia Technical College was the only two-year college from Georgia included in the list that encompassed 815 institutions around the nation. SGTC was listed as 18th in the nation with over 338 students in the cohort. That was the sixth largest cohort among the two-year colleges ranked in the top 18 spots. Of those 338 students, 201 completed their programs within 150 percent of expected time and there was an overall completion rate of 59.5%. Nearly 30% completed less than two-year programs and over 30% completed two-year programs.
The overall graduation rates for the 815 two-year colleges included in The Chronicle of Higher Education rankings was 29.3%. Those same colleges reported that over 43.3% of the students who enrolled failed to earn a certificate, diploma, or degree and were no longer enrolled after 150% of expected time.
“This acknowledgment by The Chronicle of Higher Education is validation for the excellent work that the faculty and staff at South Georgia Technical College are providing for students. Our student body consists of many first-time college students, individuals who are employed while continuing their education, and parents who are not only working but caring for young children or elderly parents,” explained Dr. Watford. “We recognize that many students face enormous obstacles that include personal and financial challenges. They are to be commended for choosing to come or return to college and to complete their studies. We are going the extra mile not only for our students but also for their families and our communities.
“I am honored and humbled to lead South Georgia Technical College. I am thankful for the faculty, staff, and administrators who work hard every day to make this the best technical college in Georgia. I appreciate the students who choose South Georgia Tech for their education and I am thankful for the business and communities that support our efforts.”
South Georgia Technical College has been ranked as the top community college in Georgia for the past three years by Niche.com. It is one of only two technical colleges in Georgia to provide on-campus housing and provide students with the Complete College Experience. SGTC is recognized nationally for its academics, athletics, and student activities.
For more information about the college or to learn more about the over 200 associate degree, diploma, or technical certificate of credit programs offered visit: www.southgatech.edu. The college will be offering eight-week mini-mester classes beginning October 12th. For more information about in-person or on-line class opportunities contact the admissions office at 229-931-2394 in Americus or 229-271-4040 in Crisp County. Individuals can apply online at www.southgatech.edu by clicking the apply now button.