CCM Earns Top Spot Among NJ Two-Year Schools

SmartAsset ranking keeps college at head of the class since 2016.

CCM students enjoy a walk around the state's top-rated campus. (Photo/ Courtesy, CCM)

“We’re Number One! We’re Number One!”

That’s a familiar refrain from college students on every campus this time of year, but everyone in the County College of Morris community can boast, “We’re Number One– Again!”

 CCM once again earned top honors as New Jersey’s premier community college, according to SmartAsset’s 2025 study of the Best Community Colleges in the U.S. CCM has held the distinction since 2016. 

The SmartAsset study rated the key performance metrics of the Garden State’s 18 two-year colleges that offer associate degrees and have at least 500 full-time students. The categories include full-time retention rate, student-to-faculty ratio, and in-state tuition and fees.  

“We’re proud to once again be recognized as the number-one community college in New Jersey by yet another ranking agency,” said CCM President, Dr. Anthony J. Iacono. “This recognition speaks to the exceptional quality education we provide, the dedication of our faculty, staff, and Board of Trustees, and our collective and unwavering commitment to student success. We are growing strategically in all the right ways — expanding programs, building more state-of-the-art facilities, and helping more students than ever reach their academic and career goals without having to take on burdensome debt.” 

SmartAsset isn’t alone in giving CCM high grades; other accolades include:

• Payscale ranks CCM as best in New Jersey for salary potential and among the top 5 percent of community colleges nationwide.

• Intelligent.com named CCM a Best Community College in the state and Best for Transfer Students.

• Best Accredited Colleges also ranks CCM #1 in the state. 

• College Factual gave several of CCM’s degree programs, including Visual and Performing Arts, Hospitality, Criminal Justice, and Radiologic Technology, as tops in New Jersey. 

FOCUS ON CONTINUED EVOLUTION

Since its first SmartAsset recognition in 2016, CCM has continued to expand its offerings to students, adding more than 200 new credit courses and 27 new programs. These expanded offerings support high-demand fields representing careers in technology, health care, engineering and manufacturing, business, and data science. 

CCM’s commitment to optimizing teaching and learning environments can be seen in the addition of four new state-of-the-art buildings and extensive renovations to existing facilities. The college’s nationally recognized model of partnering with industry leaders helps ensure students and employers alike can fulfill their professional goals.

Visit www.ccm.edu to learn more. 

Visit the CCM Foundation site to learn how you can support student success through scholarships, programs, and campus projects.