International Students

photo of chicago with graduates and photo of mountain

Fostering mutual understanding and global learning through international education.

Admissions Live Chat

Looking for registration help or have enrollment questions?


Are you looking to attend a top-ranked community college as a full-time international student on an F-1 or J-1 visa? ECC is here to help you every step of the way! We are committed to diversity and inclusion and welcome international students from more than 20 countries yearly. We aim to support your educational dreams whether you want to earn a degree or certificate, transfer to a top university, or improve your English. 

David Sam
As a former international student, I fully understand the thrill of attending college in the United States. That is why I take great pleasure in inviting you to attend Elgin Community College. When you come to ECC, you are joining a true community, both within our campus and beyond. Our academic resources are top-notch, our student life programs are dynamic, and our surrounding communities are diverse, lively, and enriching. Make ECC part of your journey.

David Sam, PhD, JD, LLM, ECC President

Top Five Reasons

To Choose Elgin Community College for Your International Journey

  1. Guaranteed university transfer (2+2) admission. ECC is a leader in university transfer; each year, hundreds of ECC students transfer to universities around the country. Complete the first two years of your bachelor’s degree at ECC, then transfer to top universities such as UIC, the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign, the University of Wisconsin – Madison, and Arizona State University, among others.
  2. Affordable value. ECC offers tuition at a fraction of the cost of universities. Save money on tuition and fees by starting at a top community college! Check out how much you can save by completing your first two years at ECC. 
  3. Full-time Intensive English Program. ECC offers a full-time Intensive English Program to improve your English language proficiency. The Intensive English Program helps prepare students for the rigors of college-level academic courses.
  4. Excellent location. Located just 60 kilometers from Chicago, Illinois, the third-largest city in the USA, the Chicago metropolitan region is a social, economic, financial, and educational hub and offers world-renowned opportunities and attractions for international students.
  5. Diverse and welcoming campus. A modern and safe campus welcomes you warmly to our local community! The Midwest is known for its hospitality and friendly nature, and you can experience all the region has to offer by studying at ECC. We are an inclusive and diverse community that respects different perspectives, cultures, and experiences.

Take a Virtual Tour

Imagine yourself at Elgin Community College from wherever you are. View the classes and spaces you’ll walk as a student. No matter where you are in your college search, we can help.

View Virtual Tour

I-20 Eligible Degree Programs and Certificates

The following degrees and certificates are eligible for Form I-20.

Associate Degrees

Our available associate degrees include the following:

Interested in completing a short-term certificate or upgrading your skills? The following are I-20 eligible certificate programs for international students:

Certificates

  • Advanced Entrepreneurship
  • Baker
  • Basic Operations Firefighter
  • Bookkeeping 
  • Clinical Dental Assisting
  • Computer Integrated Manufacturing
  • Cook Assistant/Baker Assistant
  • Cook
  • Customer Relationship Marketing
  • Decorative Pastry 
  • Dental Office Aide
  • Early Childhood Education
  • EMT - Paramedic
  • Fire Officer I
  • Fire Science and Safety
  • Histotechnology
  • Human Services Generalist
  • Human Services - Substance Abuse Counseling
  • Industrial Maintenance
  • Intermediate Entrepreneurship
  • Intensive English Program
  • Introductory Entrepreneurship
  • Light Commercial HVAC Service Tech
  • Machine Tool Operations
  • Marketing
  • Medical Assisting
  • Mold Making
  • Music Production
  • Ophthalmic Technician
  • Paralegal
  • Preclinical Dental Assisting
  • Prep Cook
  • Public Safety Communications
  • Recovery Support Specialist
  • Refrigeration Technician
  • Residential HVAC Service Technician
  • Restaurant Supervisor
  • Retail Management 
  • Sheet Metal Mechanics
  • Supervisory and Administrative Management

Frequently Asked Questions