Valencia Community College has won the prestigious Aspen Prize for its achievements in retaining and graduating students into successful careers.

The Orlando college was named the winner Monday and was honored at an awards ceremony keynoted by U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan.

Valencia was noted for its graduation, retention and employment rates, which are higher than at many community colleges. The three-year graduation and transfer rate is 51 percent, compared to 39 percent nationwide.

The college was one of 10 finalists chosen from a pool of 1,200 schools. It will share the $1 million prize with four other schools: Lake Area Technical Institute in Watertown, S.D.; Miami Dade College in Miami, Fla.; Walla Walla Community College in Walla Walla, Wash.; and West Kentucky Community and Technical College in Paducah, Ky.