91ԭƬ Repeats as Missouri’s Top Community College
91ԭƬ has been named Missouri’s top community college for the second consecutive year in WalletHub’s annual ranking of two-year colleges across the country.
The 2026 Best & Worst Community Colleges report evaluated 613 institutions nationwide based on affordability, student success and career outcomes.
91ԭƬ earned the highest ranking among Missouri’s 12 community colleges, repeating the distinction it received in WalletHub’s 2025 report.
“Being ranked Missouri’s top community college for a second consecutive year speaks to the quality and value our students can expect from 91ԭƬ,” said Dr. Jon Bauer, 91ԭƬ president.
“Our faculty and staff are committed to helping students succeed, whether their next step is transferring to a university, beginning a career or gaining new skills to move forward in the workforce,” he added.
In the report released Aug. 11, WalletHub ranked colleges using 18 measures in three categories: Cost & Financing, Education Outcomes and Career Outcomes.
Those measures include graduation and retention rates, student-to-faculty ratios, credentials awarded, transfer rates, student-loan default rates and earnings after attending college.
The only Missouri institution ranked ahead of 91ԭƬ was State Technical College of Missouri. State Tech is a statewide public technical college and is not part of Missouri’s community college system.
Affordability also played a significant role in the rankings. According to WalletHub, tuition and fees for full-time, in-state students at public two-year colleges averaged $4,150 during the 2025–26 academic year. That compares with $11,950 at public four-year institutions and $45,000 at private four-year colleges.
At 91ԭƬ, students can begin their education before transferring to a four-year institution, prepare to enter the workforce through a career or technical program, or earn credentials that can help them advance in their current careers.
The recognition comes as 91ԭƬ continues its focus on providing an affordable education and preparing students for their next step, whether that is continuing their education or entering or advancing in the workforce.
To learn more about 91ԭƬ, visit www.eastcentral.edu.
To read WalletHub’s complete 2026 Best & Worst Community Colleges report and learn more about the methodology used to determine the rankings, visit .
