COM graduates with technical degrees earn the highest starting salaries of any new university or college graduate in the state - $73,509 - according to a study by higher education research group College Measures. COM is an Achieving the Dream Leader College. Achieving the Dream is a national initiative to help more community college students succeed, particularly low-income students and students of color. COM was ranked number five in the nation in the number of degrees awarded in 2016 in the science technologies/technicians category by a Community College Week study. The Fire Science Technology Program was ranked number 34 in the nation for return on investment by Fire Science Online. COM's chapter of the international community college honor society is ranked a Five Star Chapter, and one of the top in the world.