(Ford City, PA) Prospective students can explore BC3 @ Armstrong’s state-of-the-art facility, review associate degree career and transfer programs and learn about its affordability during an open house Oct. 22.
BC3 @ Armstrong will also waive its $25 application fee during the open house, scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at 1100 Fourth Ave., Ford City. Prospective students can RSVP at bc3.edu/open-house.
Financial aid options, tuition and fees and BC3 Education Foundation scholarships allowed 93 percent of BC3’s Class of 2025 to graduate debt-free.
Syriah Wilhelm, a 32-year-old West Kittanning resident, said she chose BC3 @ Armstrong because of its affordability and expects to graduate debt-free in May.
“That was pretty important. I am a single mother of two children and money is pretty tight,” said Wilhelm, whose son is 12 and daughter is 7. “After graduation, being able to save my paychecks and not put it back into paying for my education is phenomenal.”
Wilhelm, a psychology student, said she may transfer to La Roche University after graduating from BC3 @ Armstrong to continue pursuing a career as a substance abuse counselor.
“I will actually be sad to graduate because I enjoy BC3 @ Armstrong so much,” Wilhelm said. “The classes are small and intimate, which I like because then we have room for discussion. All the professors are more than helpful. They are always willing to meet up with you and help. They want you to learn what’s going on and prepare you for your future.”
Wilhelm is a 2011 graduate of the former Ford City Junior-Senior High School, which closed in 2015, was razed in 2018 and was located on the site where the 15,000-square-foot, $6.5 million BC3 @ Armstrong opened in 2023.
BC3 @ Armstrong includes, among other areas, up to six classroom spaces, a natural science laboratory and student meeting areas, and will greet prospective students at the open house with architectural features such as a tan slatted wall, white geometric-shaped panels and asymmetrical blue chairs with USB ports.
The college’s staff will discuss with guests associate degree career programs in business management and health care science; and transfer programs in business administration, early childhood education (Pre K-4), general studies and psychology.
Health care science and business management were among the top three career programs of BC3 students as of Oct. 2. Students in BC3 @ Armstrong’s career programs can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
General studies, business administration, psychology and early childhood education (Pre K-4) were the top four transfer programs. BC3 @ Armstrong’s credits transfer to public, private and online four-year colleges and universities.
Two of BC3 @ Armstrong’s programs – business administration and business management – align with current state Department of Labor & Industry high-priority occupations.
Tuition and fees for students pursuing 15 credits each semester in the 2025-2026 academic year at BC3 @ Armstrong cost $9,300 for in-person courses. Those students can receive up to $12,289 in federal and state grants, according to Juli Louttit, BC3’s director of student financial services.
Students from Apollo, Cadogan, Cowansville, Kittanning, Nu Mine, Rural Valley and Worthington were among those selected by the BC3 Education Foundation to receive one of its record 164 named scholarships in 2025-2026, according to Bobbi Jo Cornetti, the foundation’s scholarship and development coordinator.
Financial awards ranged from $300 to $5,000 and averaged $500, Cornetti said.
Wilhelm was named in the spring to BC3’s dean’s list, a recognition for students who achieved a cumulative grade-point average of 3.5 to 3.74 upon the completion of at least 12 credits in a semester.
Prospective students visiting BC3 @ Armstrong’s open house can also learn about support services such as free tutoring and student activities.
BC3 has also been ranked as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania 11 times since 2015, most recently for 2026 by Niche.com.