The Smart Choice

“Austin Community College has a saying: "Start Here. Get There.” And that's exactly what community colleges do for millions of Americans of all ages and backgrounds every year. They set them on the road to promising new careers and further education. And in today's global economy, that mission is more important than ever."
- United States Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, Oct. 2006

For Students

More than half of all area high school graduates enroll in ACC District. Here’s why.

Tuition and fees far below those at four-year colleges and universities.
Installment payment plans and financial aid available.
More than 180 workforce degrees and certificates leading to high-demand jobs.
Core Curriculum (“the basics”) and two-year degrees that transfer to state colleges and universities in Texas.
Close to home, with seven campuses, evening centers, more than 40 additional teaching sites, and online classes.
ACC professors have the same credentials as university faculty but focus on teaching instead of research.
Small classes with personalized instruction.
Free support, including tutors, career planning and counseling, and academic advising.
Accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Ga. 30033; phone 404.697.4501), and additional workforce training accreditations.
Programs for all needs, including an honors program, Student Life, math bridge programs; and learning communities.

Learn more about educational choices.

For Central Texas

Central Texas depends on the ACC District for economic development. Here's why.

ACC plays a primary role in closing the higher education gap and developing a college-educated workforce.
More than 50 percent of those entering higher education begin at a community college.
ACC is the primary trainer and retrainer of the local workforce and offers foundation skills training for budding entrepreneurs.
Instructors often work in their field of study in addition to teaching, so they stay current on important issues.
The associate degree is the fastest growing workplace credential.
ACC offers Developmental Education and Adult Education for those not yet “college-ready.”
The college strives to keep college tuition affordable, even as four-year college and university tuition continues to soar.
ACC is the largest provider of transfer students, fueling enrollment growth at four-year colleges/universities.
ACC improves earning potential for individual residents of the community
ACC graduates make up a large portion of the public service infrastructure for fire, police, and healthcare workers.

Learn more about ACC.

Advantages of College Educated Adults

		To Central Texas	To Students
Economic	Personal Income	Increased Tax Revenues Increased consumption	Higher salaries and benefits Higher savings levels
Economic	Employment	Greater Productivity, less unemployment	Lower chance of unemployment
Social	Health	Increased quality of civic life	Improved health/life expectancy
	Volunteering	Increased charitable giving/community service	More hobbies, leisure activities
	Voting	Increased quality of civic life	Increased civic involvement

Source: adapted from The Investment Payoff: A 50-State analysis of the Public and Private Benefits of Higher Education, Institute for Higher Education Policy, 2005