Standard & Poor’s upgraded to A-plus from A its long-term rating on the Columbus State Community College District following steady improvements in operations and enrollment.
The Columbus-based school serves four surrounding counties and reported a total student enrollment of 28,541 in fall 2009. Climbing enrollment benefits the district, as Ohio bases its higher-education aid in part on student population.
Conservative budgeting by the school’s management has led to consistent operating surpluses, according to analysts.
“The rating action reflects CSCC’s strong operating performance over time, strong enrollment growth, and expense flexibility, all of which, in our opinion, position the college well for any future declines in state operating appropriations,” wrote analyst Susan Carlson.
