Colby Recognized as an Aspen Prize Top 200 U.S. Community College

WASHINGTON, D.C. (Oct. 28, 2025) — The Aspen Institute named Colby Community College as one of the 200 institutions eligible to compete for the $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nation’s premier recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges. The 200 colleges were selected based on their student outcomes data, including retention, completion, transfer, and bachelor’s attainment rates. Started in 2010, this is the ninth cycle of the Aspen Prize.

"Colby Community College is honored to again be recognized by the Aspen Institute as one of the nation’s top community colleges," said President Dr. Seth Carter. "This recognition exemplifies the dedication of our students, faculty, and staff to academic excellence and student success. We will continue our commitment to the College’s mission to challenge students to think critically, communicate effectively, and reach their full potential both in the classroom and beyond."

Together, these 200 colleges represent the breadth and diversity of the community college sector. They are located in urban, rural, and suburban areas across the country and serve anywhere from a few hundred students to tens of thousands. Some of these colleges focus primarily on workforce programs, while others focus on transfer and bachelor’s attainment or a combination of the two.

“The Aspen Prize rewards colleges that achieve the kind of outcomes that actually matter to students—completing college degree programs that, in turn, lead to lifelong success,” said Josh Wyner, executive director of the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program. “Aspen Prize winners offer a powerful message: Community colleges can deliver the kind of life-changing education that makes the American Dream real.”

While community colleges are an essential contributor to our nation’s success, student outcomes vary substantially among institutions. The Aspen Prize process identifies and celebrates community colleges that demonstrate that achieving stronger outcomes is possible, providing a roadmap of effective practices and strategies for other colleges to follow.

The 200 eligible colleges have been invited to submit an application and participate in a rigorous review process that will culminate in the naming of the Aspen Prize winner in spring 2027. Over the coming 20 months, the colleges that apply for the Aspen Prize will be assessed based on (1) student outcomes data, ranging from student transfer and completion rates to employment and wages after graduation, and (2) whether they have engaged in scaled practices that led to high and improving student outcomes.

“Among these 200 colleges are some really special places that deliver strong and improving outcomes for students across the board,” Wyner said. “Our job over the coming 20 months is to gather a lot more data and work with a deep bench of field experts to assess which of these 200 stand out so we can not only honor them with a monetary award, but drive attention to the most effective field practices that other colleges can replicate.”

To read more about the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program selection process, visit as.pn/prize.

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MEDIA CONTACT

Doug Johnson

Public Relations Director

doug.johnson@colbycc.edu

(785) 460‑5411