Austin Community College District (ACC) is the top college/university in the region, according to a new community-wide vote. 

The annual Austin American-Statesman's 2022 Best of the Best Awards results are out, and ACC was awarded the distinction of "The Best College/University" — ahead of Texas A&M University and the University of Texas-Austin.

“I want to thank our community for this incredible recognition. The Best of Award is not only a testament to the work we do as a college, but it’s also a testament to our dedicated faculty and staff. They’re the ones who commit to our mission day in and day out to make sure students can come to ACC and achieve their goals, ” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC chancellor. “We believe education is the great equalizer and that ACC is for everyone. It’s an honor to know our community values and appreciates the work we do because what happens at ACC impacts the entire region. When a student leaves ACC workforce ready, our community benefits. Almost all students who graduate from ACC continue to stay and work in Central Texas.”

The poll named ACC Highland Campus as the primary campus to represent the entire District. Voting was open through June 2022. 

ACC was previously recognized for the “Best of the Best” award every year since 2018. The college’s Nursing Program received the top accolade in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and the District as a whole was a top finalist in 2021. 

ACC is among the largest colleges in the nation, with 11 campuses located across Central Texas. Serving about 70,000 students every year, ACC is the largest Central Texas workforce trainer. ACC's mission is to close equity gaps. The college has maintained tuition and fees for nine-straight years while increasing graduates' income by 45 percent within five years of graduation. 

The college is the economic engine of the Central Texas workforce and has been recognized nationally as a top, innovative institution for transforming how students learn with flexible, accelerated learning opportunities and real-world experiences to help students with upward mobility to complete their education on time and graduate workforce-ready. Statewide data place ACC as a top performing institution in Texas, recognized with the fastest-growing graduation rate.