In 2013, Austin Community College reached a special milestone – 40 years of educating and training people for rewarding careers and producing professionals, technicians, educators, and first-responders that benefit all of Central Texas.
Austin Community College opened on September 17, 1973, with a mission to provide access to an affordable, quality college education to anyone who seeks it. What started as an extraordinary vision among community leaders and education pioneers is today the primary gateway to higher education and career training in Central Texas.
In 1972, residents of Austin ISD voted to create ACC. The following fall, the region's new community college opened its doors to 1,726 students. Today, ACC is the #1 college choice for area high school grads.
Since its first class, ACC has evolved into a major institution of higher education that serves more than 86,000 unique students each year through its credit programs and Continuing Education Division.
| Then (Fall 1973) | Now |
|---|---|
| One campus (Ridgeview) | 11 campuses (+1 in development) |
| 177 faculty and staff | 5,000 full-time and part-time employees |
| 1,726 students | 41,500 students |
| 30 programs | 100+ programs |
| $7 per hour tuition (in-district) | $67 per hour tuition (in-district) |