About

Elgin Community College (ECC) is a comprehensive, fully accredited public institution. It offers something for everyone, from career and technical education to associate degrees or continuing education classes, child care, and arts center events for the community. 

Our Community

Check out these "Fast Facts" about ECC students.

Beautiful Campus in a Great Location

ECC is conveniently located halfway between Chicago and Rockford in Illinois and easily accessible from several major highways. Its 232-acre Spartan Drive Campus features smart classrooms, facilities, and equipment that mirror what is used in the workforce, a vibrant and engaging campus experience, and support services that help students succeed. See the Virtual Campus Tour.

Based in Burlington, the 120-acre Elgin Community College Center for Emergency Services features classrooms, a three-story burn tower, training bays, and a diving pond to train current and future first responders.

ECC also operates the Education and Work Center in Hanover Park. Celebrating its 10th year in 2024, the center—a partnership between Harper College, the village of Hanover Park, the Chicago-Cook Workforce partnership, and the state of Illinois—offers English as a second language, adult basic education, and career skills development.

Indigenous Land Acknowledgment

We acknowledge that Elgin Community College currently sits on the traditional homelands of the Anishinaabe peoples: the Ojibwe, Odawa, Potawatomi, and many other Native tribes. Let this land acknowledgment contribute to a continuing, profound, respectful relationship between ECC and Native peoples.

Programs for Everyone

Choose from 131 degree and certificate programs and dozens of continuing education classes. Whether you want to take a coding boot camp through continuing education or earn an in-demand certificate in CNC Programming or Fire Science, ECC is the place for you.

A Great Value

Tuition is a fraction of what you would pay at any other school. In addition to quality instruction taught by our esteemed faculty, we offer generous scholarships and financial aid packages that bring your costs down even further. Why choose anywhere else? 

A Leader College

Elgin Community College is nationally recognized as a Leader College of Distinction by Achieving the Dream, Inc., for its commitment to helping low-income and minority students succeed. In 2021, The Aspen Institute named ECC one of the top 150 community colleges in the U.S., an honor it also received in 2013, 2017, and 2019. ECC is the only community college in Chicago that has achieved this recognition multiple times. In 2022, ECC was a semifinalist for the 2023 Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, highlighting colleges with outstanding student outcomes, including retention, completion, transfer, and equity.

Nationwide, 15 percent of community colleges (150 of the approximately 1,000 public two-year colleges nationwide assessed for the Prize) have been invited to apply—see the complete list on the Prize homepage.

Institutional Partnerships

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

Achieving the Dream

Achieving the Dream addresses systemic inequities in higher education to boost social and economic mobility. From 2012 to 2021, ECC was designated an ATD Leader College. Since 2021, it has held the ATD Leader College of Distinction title. This recognition indicates that ECC is a leading example in the field, demonstrating significant progress in improving student achievement. Read more about the Achieving the Dream initiative at Elgin Community College.

Alliance for College and Career Student Success

The ACCSS includes members from Elgin Community College District 509 and its public school districts, Community Unit School District 300, Central District 301, St. Charles School District 303, and Unit District 46. This group brings together high school and college constituencies to address the preparedness of area high school students to compete and succeed in college. Read the latest report and learn more about the Alliance for College and Career Student Success. 

The Center for Global Engagement at ECC

We welcome students from over 25 countries, enhancing global awareness and cultural skills. Our study abroad and faculty exchange programs and our involvement in international education enrich your experience and strengthen your resume. Learn more about International Education Programs

Illinois Community College Diversity Commission

ECC is an institutional Illinois Community College Diversity Commission or ICCDC member. The commission advocates for diversity, equity, and inclusion in Illinois community colleges and helps campuses develop strategies to advance diversity and address issues affecting diverse stakeholders.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities

ECC is designated a Hispanic Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education. As a member of HACU, we work to enhance educational opportunities for Hispanic students and support business, industry, and government through resource sharing 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

The college prioritizes student learning through critical assessment. The Assessment Department manages and supports these activities, working with faculty to enhance learning, curriculum, and services.

TRiO

TRiO programs, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, support individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including low-income, first-generation college students and those with disabilities, helping them advance from middle school through post-secondary education. Learn about the Trio Programs at Elgin Community College

TRIUMPH

Transforming and Impacting Undergraduate Men Pursuing Higher Education (TRIUMPH) is a mentorship and retention program to increase first-generation male students of color graduation rates. It 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 helps job seekers access employment, education, training, and support services funded by the Kane County 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)