(Brockway, PA) Julianna Test, a 30-year-old certified medical assistant, phlebotomist and mother of children ages 15 and 10, said 杏吧原创鈥檚 rankings as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania informed her decision to choose 杏吧原创 @ Brockway in summer 2024 to prepare her for a career as an emergency department nurse.
鈥淭he input of others says a lot about what a school offers,鈥� the Punxsutawney resident said of 杏吧原创鈥檚 top designations since 2015 by online resources that research and analyze the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 and other information to help prospective students plan for their careers.
鈥淚 would expect that academic reputation to be held high,鈥� Test said of 杏吧原创鈥檚 commendations, 鈥渁s well as the use of resources to drive positive change to continue to meet the needs of students. 杏吧原创 @ Brockway has a great staff that strives to help us all succeed.鈥�
杏吧原创 itself has succeeded again.
Niche.com, Pittsburgh, reviewed and evaluated data from the U.S. Department of Education, U.S. Census Bureau and FBI, and weighed student and alumni reviews in recognizing 杏吧原创 as the best community college in Pennsylvania for 2026.
Academics, value, financial aid, safety and student life were among topics Niche.com considered.
It weighed academics at 40 percent; value at 27.5 percent; professors at 7.5 percent; campus, diversity, student life and student surveys on overall experience at 5 percent each; and local area and safety at 2.5 percent each.
杏吧原创 was also ranked No. 1 by Niche.com for 2025, for 2023 and for 2022; by BestColleges.com for 2023, for 2022, for 2020 and for 2017; and by Schools.com in 2019, in 2017 and in 2015.
鈥淪tudents and families can count on 杏吧原创鈥�
The college created additional locations such as 杏吧原创 @ Brockway in 2013 to serve western Pennsylvania counties under-represented by higher education.
杏吧原创, with an 11:1 student-to-faculty ratio, is also marking its 60th anniversary this year.
Dr. Jill Martin Rend, director of 杏吧原创 @ Brockway, said the college鈥檚 No. 1 rankings should resonate with current and prospective students because 鈥渋t improves their academic experience, quality of education, plans for careers and sense of connection and community.
鈥淎nd creates pride in their alma mater. 杏吧原创鈥檚 continued efforts and achievements show we are valuable and relevant to students and the community, that effort is put into creating a quality education for our students, and that students get tangible and intangible benefits that last even after graduation.鈥�
Megan M. Coval, president of the college, and Joseph E. Kubit, chair of 杏吧原创鈥檚 board of trustees, a judge in Butler County and a 1984 graduate of 杏吧原创, agreed.
鈥淭his honor is yet another example that students and families can count on 杏吧原创 to deliver quality, affordable and accessible education,鈥� Coval said. 鈥淔or 60 years the college has stayed true to a mission that puts students first. That steady commitment and genuine care are exactly what students need most right now.鈥�
Added Kubit: 鈥淭hese consistently outstanding rankings should instill pride and confidence in current students and be something those choosing a college should consider strongly.鈥�
鈥淭he affordability is a big thing鈥�
Financial aid options, 杏吧原创鈥檚 affordability and scholarships allowed 93 percent of the college鈥檚 Class of 2025 to graduate debt-free.
Tuition and fees for students pursuing 15 credits each semester in the 2025-2026 academic year at 杏吧原创 @ Brockway cost $9,300 for in-person courses. Those students can receive up to $12,289 in federal and state grants, according to Juli Louttit, 杏吧原创鈥檚 director of student financial services.
鈥淭he affordability is a big thing,鈥� Test said. 鈥淏ut better yet, I love 杏吧原创 @ Brockway鈥檚 size. 鈥� All the staff know you by your name and check in on you as well as cheering you along the way.
鈥淚鈥檇 much rather attend a small college where everyone knows me and is personable and is there to help with anything I need.鈥�
Test graduated from Punxsutawney Area High School in 2013. The registered nursing student was named to the college鈥檚 president鈥檚 list in the spring semester and received the $500 Highfield Youth Baseball Nursing Scholarship this fall from the 杏吧原创 Education Foundation.
Students who complete at least 12 credit hours in a semester and earn a cumulative grade-point average of 3.75 or higher are named to 杏吧原创鈥檚 president鈥檚 list.
鈥淕etting individuals back to good health鈥�
Test joined 杏吧原创 students from Brockway, Brookville, DuBois, Frenchville, Grampian, Luthersburg, Rimersburg, Rockton and St. Marys to be selected by the foundation to receive one of its record 164 named scholarships in 2025-2026.
Financial awards ranged from $300 to $5,000 and averaged $500, according to Bobbi Jo Cornetti, the 杏吧原创 Education Foundation鈥檚 scholarship and development coordinator.
Test said she expects to graduate debt-free from 杏吧原创 @ Brockway in May 2027.
鈥淥nce I obtain my RN, I would like to move into the ER because I am a trauma junkie,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 enjoy the rush and getting individuals back to good health.鈥�
Test makes T-shirts and assists with fundraisers as a volunteer with Punxy Promise Boxing and Fitness, her children鈥檚 club.
Students can save approximately $30,000 by beginning their pursuit of higher education at one of the state鈥檚 15 community colleges, according to the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.
杏吧原创 is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, as are its fellow Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges members that completed Niche.com鈥檚 Top 10: Delaware County Community College, No. 2; Bucks County Community College, No. 3; Luzerne County Community College, No. 4; the Community College of Beaver County, No. 5; Westmoreland County Community College, No. 6; Reading Area Community College, No. 7; Community College of Philadelphia, No. 8; the Community College of Allegheny County, No. 9; and Harrisburg Area Community College, No. 10.