Renton Technical College has been named one of the nation’s top 120 community colleges by the Aspen Institute.

From more than 1,000 public two-year colleges across the country, the institute recognized 120 colleges for achieving excellent results for their students, based on retention and completion rates, student performance and equitable outcomes for minority and low-income students. These colleges are now in the running for receiving a $1 million prize from the nonprofit Aspen Institute.

RTC shared the status with other Washington state schools, including Bellingham Technical College, Olympic College, Pierce College Fort Steilacoom, Walla Walla Community College and Whatcom Community College.

“Time and time again, Washington’s community and technical colleges make national news for their outstanding accomplishments,” said Jan Yoshiwara, deputy executive director for education at the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.  “These colleges are shining examples of our colleges’ deep commitment to their students.”

If the colleges continue in the competition, it involves in-depth research into how well their students learn, complete degrees and get jobs with competitive wages after graduating. The last step in the process involves Aspen Institute representatives visiting their campus, with winners announced in March 2013.