Malta Development Blog

Residents of the Ballston Spa area have many educational options close at hand. Included in these are five well-regarded community colleges within 50 miles. Community colleges offer the first two years of college at affordable prices; at that point it is easy to transfer for a final two years to a four-year degree institution. They offer A.A. and A.S. degrees (Associate of Arts, Associate of Science) and also have programs that can lead to certification in specialties such as practical nursing, programming, animal care, architecture technology, and massage therapy.

In addition to being value-priced, most community colleges have a wide variety of offerings, low class sizes, flexible schedules, and relationships with four-year colleges that readily accept transfer credits. Almost half of all college level students start their academic careers in community colleges!

A brief description of these nearby colleges, as well as enrollment, tuition, and location information, follows:

SUNY: Schenectady County Community College. http://www.sunysccc.edu/

Located in Schenectady, NY, on 50 acres along the Mohawk River. The college is only 14 miles from Ballston Spa center. It is part of the State University of New York system. 12% of the college’s students come from Saratoga County.

• Enrollment is 2,729 full time (and 1,558 part time) students. Tuition is $3,745.

Fulton-Montgomery Community College. http://fmcc.edu

Located in Johnstown, NY, the college is 22 miles from Ballston Spa center. Its forty educational programs--including business, electrical technology, media communications and nursing--welcome local and international students.

• Enrollment is 1,724 full time (and 1,057 part time) students. Tuition is $3,500.

Hudson Valley Community College. http://www.hvcc.edu

Located in Troy, NY, 23 miles from Ballston Spa Center. It is the second largest institution of higher learning in the Capital Region. The campus is totally tobacco-free. There are 75 degree and certification programs in its four schools. New certificate programs added in 2013 include Health Sciences and Architecture Technology. A 100,000 square foot Science Center opened in Fall, 2013.

• Enrollment is 6,839 full time (and 6,043 part time) students. Tuition is $3,980.

SUNY: Adirondack Community College. http://www.sunyacc.edu

Located in Queensbury, NY, the college is 26 miles from Ballston Spa center. It is at the southern end of Adirondack Park and near Lake George. Beginning in September 2014 the campus will be tobacco-free. 37% of the college’s students come from Saratoga County. The top five degree programs are liberal arts-- humanities and social science; liberal arts--math and science; business administration; criminal justice--police; and nursing. It is part of the State University of New York system.

• Enrollment is 2,588 full time (and 1,642 part time) students. Tuition is $1,935.

Berkshire Community College. http://www.berkshirecc.edu

Located in Pittsfield, MA, this small college is 46 miles from Ballston Spa Center.

• Enrollment is approximately 1,050 students. Tuition is $205 per credit for NY residents.