Public
Accredited · Middle States Commission on Higher Education
Butler, Pennsylvania
Butler County Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$11,152Annual Cost
$38,891Grad Salary
34.8%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$6,075
Need-Based Aid
34.8% receive Pell
Butler County Community College (BC3) is a public institution in Pennsylvania known for its high-quality, affordable education and its role as a key regional provider of associate degrees and workforce development. It offers a diverse range of programs in fields like nursing, technology, and business, all supported by personalized instruction and modern campus facilities. By prioritizing student success and transfer readiness, BC3 provides a stable and effective foundation for those pursuing long-term academic and career ambitions.
Butler County Community College Acceptance Rate
Butler County Community College (BC3) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at BC3
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Butler County Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Butler County Community College (BC3) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into BC3 Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Butler County Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for BC3
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
BC3 provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Check whether your GPA and coursework already exempt you from testing for RN
BC3 waives placement/entrance testing for RN applicants who graduated high school within the last five years with a minimum 3.00 unweighted cumulative GPA, A/B grades in 11th and 12th grade English, and a C or better in Algebra 2. If you meet these specific thresholds, request the testing exemption explicitly rather than defaulting into the standard testing track - it's a real, named policy, not just a general "strong students test out" assumption.
Know that the ADN degree is only offered at two of BC3's six locations
While BC3 operates six locations across western Pennsylvania (Butler, Brockway, Cranberry Township, Ford City, Hermitage, New Castle), the Nursing, R.N., A.A.S. degree is only offered at the Main Campus in Butler and BC3 @ Brockway - general education courses can be taken anywhere, but your nursing-specific coursework locks you into one of just two sites. Confirm which of these two locations fits your commute or relocation plans before building prerequisite coursework at a different BC3 site that won't host the actual nursing courses.
Understand that only 4 of BC3's ~55 programs are selective - but they're gatekept by the same office
BC3 is open admission overall, but its Shaffer School of Nursing & Allied Health treats exactly four programs - Massage Therapy, Practical Nursing, Registered Nursing, and Physical Therapist Assistant - as selective admission, each requiring a separate application process coordinated through the Admissions Office. If you're targeting one of these four, contact admissions@bc3.edu directly early to understand that program's specific prerequisite and testing sequence rather than assuming your general BC3 acceptance covers it.
Use BC3's PASSHE transfer guarantee if a bachelor's is your end goal
BC3 has 12 associate degree programs (Biological Science, Business Admin, Chemistry, Communications, Criminology, Computer Science, Early Childhood Ed., English, History, Math, Social Work, Psychology) that transfer to Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) universities and select opt-in colleges as a guaranteed rising junior - not just a generic "credits transfer" claim. If a bachelor's degree at a PASSHE school is your target, choose your BC3 associate degree specifically from this named list of 12 to lock in the guarantee.
Expert Insight:
A specific and easy-to-miss failure pattern is taking general education prerequisites at a BC3 location other than Main Campus (Butler) or Brockway while assuming you can seamlessly roll into the nursing program at your local site - since the nursing-specific coursework is only delivered at those two locations, students at BC3's other four sites need to plan for eventual relocation or commuting once they reach the nursing-specific semesters.
BC3 Profile
Full Name
Butler County Community College (BC3)
City
Butler
State
Pennsylvania
ZIP Code
16002
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSACHE)
Is a BC3 Degree Worth It?
Getting into BC3 can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. BC3 offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at BC3 is $52,300 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.1%.
How much does a degree from BC3 Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Butler County Community College is $11,152. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Butler County Community College is $6,075.
34.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 16.9 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to BC3 and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Butler County Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist BC3 as your choice in the form.
How much does a BC3 Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $38,891. An average BC3 graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at BC3
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Butler County Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About BC3 Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $38,891 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $11,152 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
34.8% of students receive a Pell Grant at this institution. Your chances of need-based aid are moderate and depend primarily on your household income. Filing FAFSA early significantly improves your chances of receiving the maximum available grant amount.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
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