Western Iowa Tech Community College (WITCC) has been selected as one of the Top 200 community colleges in the United States eligible for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence. This national recognition is considered the highest honor for achievement and performance among two-year institutions.
The Aspen Prize highlights colleges that demonstrate strong outcomes in student learning, graduation, transfer, and equitable access to economic mobility. The 200 eligible institutions were selected from nearly 1,000 community colleges nationwide using publicly available data on retention, completion, transfer, bachelor’s attainment, and workforce success.
Western Iowa Tech is proud to be included in this group of high-performing institutions. WITCC’s inclusion in the Top 200 reflects the college’s ongoing commitment to supporting student success through innovative academic programs, high-quality workforce training pathways, strong transfer partnerships, and wraparound services that remove barriers to completion. This recognition shows the college’s dedication to creating meaningful opportunities for students today while continuously strengthening its programs for the future.
According to the Aspen Institute, the Prize “identifies and celebrates colleges with outstanding achievement in teaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, workforce success, and equitable outcomes for students from all backgrounds.”
The announcement marks the first stage in a multi-year competitive review process that will narrow the field to semifinalists, finalists, and ultimately the winner of the one million dollar award.
Community colleges play a critical role in expanding access to higher education and career advancement across the country. By identifying institutions that demonstrate strong, evidence-based practices, the Aspen Prize aims to elevate models that help improve student outcomes nationwide.
For more information and the full list of 2027 Aspen Prize Top 200 colleges, visit the Aspen Institute announcement page.
Source:
The Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. (2025). 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence: Top 200 Announced. https://highered.aspeninstitute.org/programs/aspen-prize-community-college-excellence#2027-aspen-prize-top-200-announced