Accreditation & Institutional Research

Elgin Community College has had multiple successful accreditation reviews during its 75-year history. The Higher Learning Commission (HLC) conducts comprehensive reviews every 10 years and interim reviews every 4 or 6 years. Our most recent comprehensive review was held in 2025, and our next QIP interim review will be held in 2029-2030. The next 10-year comprehensive review will be conducted in 2035-2036. Elgin Community College received its first full accreditation in 1968 from the North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. This came less than two years after being granted Illinois Class I Community College status in 1966.

ECC has earned the Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting. This award was presented by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA). This certificate, the highest rating in governmental accounting, has been awarded to ECC each year since 2004.

ECC is formally recognized as meeting instructional, administrative, financial, facility, and equipment standards established by the Illinois Community College Board (ICCB). Recognition reviews occur every five years by state statutes to ensure colleges meet these standards. ECC received its most recent recognition certificate in 2023 and will undergo its next state review in 2028.

Finally, several ECC career programs meet the accrediting standards of their professional organizations. The most up-to-date list of accredited programs is in the College Catalog.