Nash Community College has been ranked among the top five community colleges in North Carolina in the 2026 Niche Best Colleges rankings. NCC earned the #4 spot, joining Randolph Community College (#1), Wayne Community College (#2), Stanly Community College (#3), and Western Piedmont Community College (#5).

Niche’s rankings are based on a variety of factors including academics, student life, safety, and location, and use data from the U.S. Department of Education as well as student reviews. The 2026 rankings can be viewed at www.niche.com.

The Niche recognition follows several other significant acknowledgments of NCC’s quality and impact in recent weeks:

• WalletHub named Nash Community College among the top community colleges in North Carolina for 2025, highlighting affordability, education outcomes, and career opportunities.
• USA Today recognized NCC on its list of “2025 List of Best Vocational Schools,” spotlighting NCC as one of only 14 North Carolina community colleges included on the list, and notably, one of just seven in the state to receive a five-star rating (the highest rating awarded). This highlights the college’s strong reputation for workforce training and career-focused education.

These recognitions reflect NCC’s growing reputation across multiple levels (regionally, statewide, and nationally).

NCC President Dr. Lew K. Hunnicutt said the recognitions reflect the dedication of faculty, staff and students. “At NCC, we are committed to providing high-quality, affordable and accessible education that changes lives. Being recognized not only by Niche, but also by WalletHub and USA Today, demonstrates that our efforts are being noticed at every level, from our local community to the national stage. These honors underscore the incredible work of our faculty and staff and the success of our students, who inspire us every day.”

NCC has also seen strong enrollment momentum, with a 6.3% year-over-year increase for Fall 2025, bringing total headcount to more than 3,145 students. This continues a multi-year growth trend, including 23% growth in Summer 2025, 7.6% in Spring 2025, and 10.1% in Fall 2024. These increases further highlight NCC’s role as a top choice for students seeking quality education and career-ready training.

NCC continues to position itself as a leader in student success and workforce development, offering programs that prepare students to thrive in today’s competitive economy while serving the needs of the region.