Cochise Newsroom

Aspen Institute ranks Cochise College among nation’s Top 150 Community Colleges

The Aspen Institute named Cochise College to its “Top 150 U.S. Community Colleges” list for 2025—one of only two Arizona community colleges to be honored with this prestigious recognition.

The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program has ranked Cochise College as one of the nation’s 150 best community colleges. The college can apply for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.

Cochise College President J.D. Rottweiler said, “Being recognized alongside the nation’s best community colleges is a tremendous honor for us. This distinction demonstrates our commitment to providing accessible educational opportunities in Cochise County.”

The college has earned this recognition in 2011 and 2017. Cochise College is one of two community colleges in Arizona to receive this recognition this year. Only eligible colleges can apply for the Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. The 150 colleges that are eligible – out of more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide – were invited because of high and improving levels of student success, as well as equitable outcomes.

“As community colleges face enrollment variations, it is easy to lose track of what matters most,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “The best community colleges continue to focus on advancing the core mission: making sure as many students as possible graduate with credentials that lead to fulfilling careers and reflect the development of diverse talent that communities need.”

The Aspen Institute reviewed public data to identify community colleges with strong outcomes. To be eligible, colleges must show improving student outcomes in retention, completion, transfer and equity. The eligible colleges represent the diversity and depth of the community colleges. Finalists will be announced in spring 2025. 

 “Our real winners in this achievement are our students and the communities we serve,” added Dr. Rottweiler. “They can trust that Cochise College will continue to inspire passion and purpose through top-tier education.”

For a complete list of the top 150 eligible institutions and to read more on the selection process, visit https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/aspen-prize/.