Mt. San Jacinto College (MSJC) has once again earned the confidence of Inland Empire residents, receiving top honors in three categories in The Press-Enterprise’s 2026 Best of Inland Empire readers’ poll.
This year, MSJC was voted:
- Best Career College: Trade/Specialty School
- Favorite Career College: Nursing School
- Favorite Community College: Mt. San Jacinto College San Jacinto Campus
The recognition continues a strong tradition for MSJC in the annual community poll and reflects the College’s broad role in providing accessible higher education, career preparation, and workforce training throughout its 1,700-square-mile service area.
“To be recognized by the communities we serve is especially meaningful because our work begins and ends with them,” said Dr. Tawny Dotson, Superintendent/President of Mt. San Jacinto College. “These honors reflect the extraordinary work happening across our entire district — in our classrooms and labs, through our career and nursing programs, at each of our campuses and locations, and in the many ways our faculty and staff support students every day. Whether a student comes to MSJC to prepare for a career, transfer to a university, or build a better future for their family, our commitment is the same: to provide an exceptional education that transforms lives and strengthens our region.”
The 2026 recognition builds on MSJC’s success in last year’s Best of Inland Empire awards. In 2025, readers named MSJC Best Community College, Best Nursing School, and Best College Extension Program, while also recognizing the College as a Favorite Trade/Specialty School.
This year’s Best Career College: Trade/Specialty School designation highlights MSJC’s role in preparing students for careers in high-demand industries and supporting the workforce needs of communities throughout Southwest Riverside County and the Inland Empire.
MSJC’s nursing programs also continue to earn strong community recognition. The Favorite Career College: Nursing School honor comes as the College expands opportunities for students pursuing healthcare careers. In 2026, MSJC celebrated 157 nursing and allied health graduates entering the regional workforce and received approximately $1.1 million through the Rebuilding Nursing Infrastructure Grant to develop a new hybrid Licensed Vocational Nurse-to-Associate Degree in Nursing pathway and expand nursing program capacity.
The recognition of the San Jacinto Campus as a Favorite Community College also holds special significance. MSJC’s original campus has served generations of students and remains an integral part of a growing college district that today serves more than 30,000 students each year.
Each year, The Press-Enterprise’s Best of Inland Empire program invites readers throughout the region to vote for their favorite businesses, organizations, and institutions. MSJC is grateful to the students, alumni, employees, and community members whose support made this recognition possible.
For more information about Mt. San Jacinto College, visit msjc.edu.
