The Austin Community College District provides higher education and career training for residents across a 7,000-square-mile area in Central Texas. ACC plays a key role in regional economic development and gives individuals the skills they need to succeed in the workforce.
ACC enrolls more than 43,000 credit students a semester, plus 13,000 noncredit Continuing Education and Adult Education students annually. Between credit programs and the Continuing Education Division, ACC serves more than 86,000 unique students a year.
ACC is the primary trainer and re-trainer of the local workforce, offering more than 235 degrees and certificates as well as other educational options.
ACC is the only area college accredited to award the associate degree – the fastest-growing workplace credential, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
ACC partners with Central Texas employers and entrepreneurs to build a stronger workforce. ACC is equipped to rapidly respond to training needs.
ACC provides developmental education to get students college-ready – something that’s key to closing the educational gaps in Texas.
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ACC is an outstanding value to students and the community.
ACC is the lowest-cost provider of higher education in the area. In-district students can complete two years (60 credit hours) for less than $5,000. Compare costs with area universities at collegeforalltexans.com.
ACC's property tax rate is among the lowest in the state. ACC's rate is $0.0951 (9.51 cents) per $100 valuation; the state average community college tax rate is more than $0.16 (16 cents). The maintenance and operations portion of ACC's rate is capped at $0.09 and can't increase without voter approval.
ACC is closing the educational gaps in Central Texas.
In order to maintain economic competitiveness, Central Texas needs more college-educated workers. ACC is helping close those education gaps, with a focus on traditionally underserved demographics.
| Spring 2007 | Spring 2008 | Spring 2009 | Spring 2010 | Spring 2011 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total credit students | 31,148 | 32,369 | 36,601 | 41,050 | 45,056 |
| Hispanic | 7,421 | 7,676 | 8,918 | 10,214 | 11,888 |
| African-American | 2,464 | 2,607 | 3,120 | 3,728 | 3,983 |
Enrollment increases from 2007 to 2011:
- African-American students: 37 percent
- Hispanic students: 56%
- Total students: 35%
ACC is committed to student success.
ACC is committed to enhancing learning and success for all students. This commitment is brought to life through the college's Student Success Initiative, which focuses on using student performance data to drive decision-making. ACC is making great strides:
- ACC's combined transfer and graduation rate is 43% over a three-year period, compared with an average 34% for other metropolitan community colleges in Texas. Source: IPEDS
- Completion rates are up.
- The number of degrees & certificates awarded by ACC increased 48% between the 2004-05 and 2009-10 academic years, from 2,040 to 3,027.
- ACC ranks as a top 100 associate degree and certificate producer (source: Community College Week, 2012 rankings).
- Transfer students are meeting their goals.
- ACC is the primary source of transfer students to area universities. In fall 2010, 337 students transferred from ACC to UT-Austin. That's 34% of total two-year transfers to UT-Austin.
- ACC transfer students perform as well as or better than their peers. After one academic year, ACC transfer students entering UT-Austin in fall 2009 earned an average 3.1 GPA, outperforming other transfer students and UT freshmen. ACC transfer students entering Texas State University in fall 2009 earned a 2.85 GPA after one year, exceeding the average for all two-year college transfers.
Sources: Office of Information Management and Analysis at UT-Austin; Institutional Research Office at Texas State University. Comparison to Texas State native students not available.
- Student persistence is increasing.
- ACC retained more than 67% of credit students from fall 2010 to spring 2011, up from 65.7% retention from fall 2009 to spring 2010.
- More students are declaring majors (92% in fall 2010 versus 83% in fall 2006). Research shows that students with goals persist at higher rates.
- ACC helps a high percentage of GED earners go on to college.
- Nearly half of ACC Adult Education students transition to college, compared with an average 20% statewide and 30% nationally.
Sources: National Commission on Adult Literacy; National Center for the Study of Adult Learning and Literacy
ACC seeks new sources of funding.
In FY2011, federal, state, local, and private entities awarded ACC nearly $13 million in grants. That exceeds the previous year’s total awards of $10 million. In addition, the ACC Foundation has raised more than $10 million for ACC students and programs. More than 3,000 students have received Foundation scholarships, with awards totaling more than $4 million.
ACC is changing lives every day.
Need some inspiration? Check out student stories like this one at austincc.edu/iamacc.
Nicole
I've worked in manufacturing for the past 20 years. After being laid off a couple of times, I decided to pursue a different career. I'm very excited about my decision to take the welding route here at ACC. I can't wait to create! I use to consider myself an Austinite, but realized I was not a TRUE AUSTINITE until I started my classes at ACC. ACC is Austin in a nutshell! Every instructor I've had so far has been very helpful. They truly want to see us succeed and that is a great feeling. I'm extremely proud to be a part of ACC. The diversity is amazing and very unique to Austin. It gives me the motivation to succeed and be the best I can be!