About

Elgin Community College (ECC) is a fully accredited public institution in Illinois dedicated to student success, workforce development, and community engagement. In Spring 2025, ECC awarded 1,707 degrees and certificates, empowering students to achieve their academic, career, and transfer goals. With a 21:1 student-to-faculty ratio, ECC offers the personalized attention students need to thrive.

ECC builds strong partnerships that enhance student success, workforce development, and educational equity. These collaborations address organizational performance, community needs, and local workforce challenges, ensuring ECC continues to serve as a leader in higher education.

Strengthening the High School-to-College Pipeline

Since 2006, ECC has partnered with local high schools to improve access to college. Its award-winning early college programs—including the dual credit program, which grew by 30% from FY 2023 to FY 2024—help students earn college credit and reduce the cost of higher education.

Academic Excellence and Career-Focused Education

A Beautiful Campus and Convenient Location

Located halfway between Chicago and Rockford, ECC’s 217-acre Spartan Drive Campus features:

• Smart classrooms and industry-relevant technology
• Modern labs and workforce simulation facilities
• Vibrant student life spaces, cafés, and wellness resources
•  See the Virtual Campus Tour.

Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

Elgin Community College respectfully acknowledges that its campus sits on the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe peoples, including the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi nations, and many other Native tribes. ECC remains committed to fostering respectful and continuing relationships with Native peoples and communities.

Supporting Local Entrepreneurs

Through the Small Business Development Center (SBDC), ECC supported nearly 600 entrepreneurs in 2024 with free marketing, finance, and business operations counseling—driving local economic growth and empowering small-business owners to succeed.

National Recognition for Excellence

The Aspen Institute has named Elgin Community College among the Top 200 community colleges in the nation eligible to compete for the 2027 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence and $1 million in shared prize funds—the nation’s signature recognition of achievement among two-year institutions.

This marks the fifth time ECC has earned this distinction, following recognition in 2015, 2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025. The repeated honor underscores ECC’s sustained commitment to equitable student success, innovation, and excellence in higher education.

Selected from more than 1,000 community colleges nationwide, ECC was recognized for outstanding outcomes in student learning, completion, transfer, and post-graduation success. The full list is on the Prize homepage.

Institutional Partnerships

Look at the collaborative projects that impact organizational quality, performance issues, and local workforce needs.

Achieving the Dream (ATD)

• Achieving the Dream is a national initiative focused on eliminating systemic inequities in higher education to improve student success and economic mobility.
• ECC was designated an ATD Leader College (2012–2021) and has held the ATD Leader College of Distinction title since 2021.
• This recognition highlights ECC’s measurable progress in improving student achievement, retention, and completion rates.

Alliance for College and Career Student Success (ACCSS)

The Alliance for College and Career Student Success (ACCSS) unites leaders from Elgin Community College District 509 and partner school districts, including Community Unit 300, Central 301, St. Charles 303, and Unit 46.

Together, these partners focus on:

• Strengthening the high school-to-college pipeline
• Enhancing college readiness
• Preparing students for academic and workforce success

The Center for Global Engagement at ECC

ECC welcomes students from over 25 countries, creating a vibrant, globally minded learning community. Through the Center for Global Engagement, students can:

• Participate in study abroad programs
• Join faculty exchange initiatives
• Build cross-cultural communication and leadership skills

These experiences promote global citizenship and add value to your academic and professional journey.

Illinois Community College Diversity Commission (ICCDC)

As an institutional member of the Illinois Community College Diversity Commission (ICCDC), ECC supports statewide efforts to:

• Advance diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
• Develop strategies that promote inclusive excellence across Illinois community colleges
• Support students, faculty, and community stakeholders through shared best practices

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

ECC is designated a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. As a HACU member, we enhance Hispanic students’ educational opportunities and support business, industry, and government with resources and expertise. Federal law defines a Hispanic-serving institution as one with 25% or more Hispanic undergraduates.

Illinois Equity in Attainment - ILEA

The college addresses equity, diversity, and inclusion through an Equity Plan with seven strategies and annual targets. After analyzing data and identifying challenges, ECC will publicly update its progress over five years. Review the ILEA Equity Plan for Elgin Community College 

Student Learning Outcomes Assessment

ECC prioritizes continuous improvement in teaching and learning. The Assessment Department collaborates with faculty to:

• Evaluate student learning outcomes
• Strengthen curriculum design and delivery
• Enhance overall student success and satisfaction

TRiO Student Support Programs

ECC’s TRiO programs help low-income, first-generation, and underrepresented students achieve their educational goals. They help students with disabilities and others advance from middle school through post-secondary education. TRiO provides personalized support in:

• Academic and career planning
• Financial aid and scholarship guidance
• College transfer and graduation preparation

TRIUMPH Mentorship Program

Transforming and Impacting Undergraduate Men Pursuing Higher Education (TRIUMPH) is a mentorship and retention program. It aims to increase the graduation rates of first-generation male students of color. The program offers enhanced student services, academic support, community projects, and mentoring to support their success. Learn more about the TRIUMPH Program

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

WIOA helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services funded by Kane County’s Department of Employment and Education. It supports individuals in the labor market and connects employers with skilled workers. Eligible youth ages 16 to 24 can benefit through our Future Workforce Leaders and Job Search Help Programs. Learn more about Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)