(Ford City, PA) BC3’s ranking as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania for 2025 by Niche.com reaffirms its commitment to providing a quality education and positive experience for students, said the director of the college’s location in Armstrong County who will introduce prospective students to BC3’s advantages at an upcoming open house.
Niche.com, Pittsburgh, researched and analyzed U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Census Bureau information, and weighed student and alumni reviews in recognizing BC3 on Aug. 29 as its top selection.
The online company publishes its findings about academics, financial aid, safety, student life and value to assist high school students reviewing colleges or universities.
The top honor is the 10th for BC3 since 2015.
“For the past 10 years I have seen how faculty, staff and administrators at BC3 work together to provide that quality educational experience for each student,” said Karen Zapp, director, BC3 @ Armstrong. “And it’s nice to know that students recognize that whenever they are asked questions about BC3 and they respond, ‘Yes, my instructors do spend time with me’ and ‘My instructors do provide a quality education’ and that ‘BC3 has been a good place to be.’
“That’s kind of what that rating indicates. That students have a good experience here. And I am really proud of that. Because that is our goal to offer that everywhere at BC3.”
“It’s nice to know that students recognize that whenever they are asked questions about BC3 and they respond, ‘Yes, my instructors do spend time with me’ and ‘My instructors do provide a quality education’ and that ‘BC3 has been a good place to be.’”
BC3 @ Armstrong’s advantages will be showcased to prospective students during its open house from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Oct. 16 at 1100 Fourth Ave., Ford City.
The college will waive its $25 application fee at the open house. Prospective students can RSVP at bc3.edu/open-house
$6.5M state-of-the-art facility “gorgeous”
Guests attending the open houses can also learn about BC3 @ Armstrong’s affordability, and free tutoring, student-support services and activities.
BC3 established BC3 @ Armstrong in Manor Township, Armstrong County, in 2015 to serve Pennsylvania counties under-represented by higher education. BC3 @ Armstrong relocated to a 15,000-square-foot, $6.5 million state-of-the-art facility in Ford City in 2023.
“It’s gorgeous,” said Shiann King, 20, of Kittanning, a first-semester general studies student at BC3 @ Armstrong. “The interior is set up so nicely. They have study areas and a nice lounge for anyone who needs to catch up on work before or between classes.”
68% of BC3’s Class of 2024 graduated debt-free
Students who attend a community college for their first two years can save an estimated $20,000 on the cost of higher education, according to the Pennsylvania Commission for Community Colleges.
BC3’s affordability, and financial aid and scholarships allowed 68 percent of the college’s Class of 2024 to graduate debt-free.
King expects to graduate from BC3 @ Armstrong debt-free in May 2026. She works full time as direct-support staff member at a facility that assists mentally challenged individuals and attends BC3 @ Armstrong full time.
“When you are starting your life, that is when you need your feet,” King said. “If you are worried about debt you have already built up, you might think as if you are never going to be financially stable. But BC3’s affordability offers you that kind of relief, that stability, that fresh air.”
BC3 @ Armstrong students in 2024-2025 are paying $300 per credit in tuition and fees for an in-person course.
They would pay at least $439.75 per credit in tuition and fees for an in-person course at a regional public four-year university or $569 at a regional state-related institution’s branch campus in 2024-2025.
Approximately 88 percent of BC3 students received financial aid in the 2021-2022 academic year, the most recent information available from the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics.
“A happy and positive atmosphere”
King graduated from Lenape Technical School, where she studied cosmetology, attended a BC3 @ Armstrong open house in the spring and said she has discovered “BC3 is the perfect size.
“Karen (Zapp) and all the professors are always there to help,” King said. “You just learn more being in the community that you are in there. It’s such a kind-hearted, sincere community. They are there to help you. And in my eyes, that is way better than anything. You are in a happy and positive atmosphere.”
BC3 @ Armstrong’s credits can be applied toward a bachelor’s degree at public, private and online four-year colleges and universities.
BC3 was also ranked No. 1 by Niche 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.
