(Butler, PA) Prospective students who attend an upcoming Butler County Community College Pioneer Night can explore programs, review opportunities that enabled 93 percent of the college’s Class of 2025 to graduate debt-free and learn how BC3’s credits transfer to four-year institutions.
The college will waive its $25 application fee during Pioneer Nights at BC3 @ Cranberry and at BC3’s main campus.
Pioneer Night is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. April 8 at BC3 @ Cranberry, 250 Executive Drive, Cranberry Township.
A Pioneer Night on BC3’s main campus will be held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 15 at 107 College Drive, Butler.
Guests can RSVP to attend either event at bc3.edu/pioneer-night.
Students enrolled in BC3 @ Cranberry’s digital audio and visual production associate degree career program are shown Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in an electronically generated imaging course that teaches skills to produce stop-motion photography film tracks. From left, Shane Seagriff, of Sarver; Alexander Jack, of Butler; Jaycob Jamison, of Chicora; Mary Fritz, of Slippery Rock; and Jordan Harper, of Butler. Prospective students can explore programs, review opportunities that enabled 93 percent of the college’s Class of 2025 to graduate debt-free and apply free during a Pioneer Night on April 8 at BC3 @ Cranberry in Cranberry Township.
Learn about BC3 “all in one evening”
Dr. Josh Novak is BC3’s vice president for student affairs and enrollment management.
Students enrolled in a BC3 @ Cranberry environmental science course that provides an introduction to air, water and soil phenomena are shown Tuesday, March 31, 2026. From left, Karley Schaefers, a general studies student; and Gianna Barbrino, a history student, both of Cranberry Township. Prospective students can explore programs, review opportunities that enabled 93 percent of the college’s Class of 2025 to graduate debt-free and apply free during a Pioneer Night on April 8 at BC3 @ Cranberry in Cranberry Township.
“Pioneer Nights,” Novak said, “provide a great opportunity for prospective students and their families to learn about BC3, explore programs and academic opportunities, and connect with campus faculty and staff, all in one evening.”
The college offers associate degree transfer and career programs, and short-term certificate programs.
BC3’s credits transfer to public, private and online four-year colleges and universities. Students in the college’s career and certificate programs can develop the skills needed to enter the workforce immediately upon graduation.
Pioneer Nights will offer guests opportunities to attend short presentations about programs, financial aid, student life and steps to take after applying to BC3, and to tour classrooms and facilities and meet faculty and administrators.
Graphic design is a visual communications program offered by the college only at BC3 @ Cranberry. A presentation about the career program will be held from 7:10 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Twenty-minute presentations about business and information technology, and Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health programs, are also scheduled for Pioneer Night at BC3 @ Cranberry.
Students enrolled in Butler County Community College’s registered nursing career program train Thursday, March 19, 2026, in a simulated intensive care-unit room within the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building on BC3’s main campus in Butler Township. From left, Isabella Bennett, of Mars, and Kadeon Austin, of Renfrew. Prospective students can explore programs, tour facilities and apply free during a Pioneer Night on April 15 on BC3’s main campus
Student ambassadors to lead main campus tours
Pioneer Night on BC3’s main campus will feature 30-minute presentations about programs within the college’s business and information technology, education and behavioral sciences, liberal arts, Shaffer School of Nursing and Allied Health, and science, technology, engineering and mathematics divisions.
Student ambassadors will lead 30-minute tours of main campus in which prospective students can view new facilities such as the Dr. Robert L. Paserba Teaching and Learning Lab, whose centerpiece replicates an elementary school classroom; and the Victor K. Phillips Nursing and Allied Health Building, which includes skills laboratories and simulated intensive care-unit and patient rooms.
Guests at each Pioneer Night can also learn about BC3’s student clubs, organizations and activities; and support services such as free tutoring.
“An incredible educational experience”
Morgan Croney, right, of Sarver, a student in Butler County Community College’s early childhood education (Pre K-4) associate degree transfer program, is shown with an Amy Wise Children’s Creative Learning Center preschooler Monday, Feb. 23, 2026, in the Dr. Robert L. Paserba Teaching and Learning Lab. The centerpiece of the lab on BC3’s main campus replicates an elementary school classroom. Prospective students can explore programs, tour facilities and apply free during a Pioneer Night on April 15 on BC3’s main campus.
Tuition and fees for Butler County residents pursuing 30 credits through in-person courses in the 2025-2026 academic year cost $6,210 at BC3, at least $10,906 at regional public four-year institutions and $22,772 at area state-related universities.
“BC3 students will receive an incredible educational experience, likely with smaller classes sizes, while saving considerable costs,” Novak said. “That affordability, combined with many financial aid and scholarship opportunities, allow many students to attend BC3 debt-free.”
Butler County residents seeking 15 credits each semester in 2025-2026 can also receive up to $10,453 in federal and state grants, according to Juli Louttit, BC3’s director of student financial services.
The BC3 Education Foundation in 2025-2026 distributed to BC3 students a record 164 named scholarships, according to Bobbi Jo Cornetti, scholarship and development coordinator with the foundation. Financial awards ranged from $300 to $5,000 and averaged $500, Cornetti said.
BC3 has also been ranked as the No. 1 community college in Pennsylvania 11 times since 2015, most recently for 2026 by Niche.com.