Elgin Community College Sees Continued Growth in Fall 2025 Enrollment

Elgin Community College (ECC) has recorded its sixth consecutive year of enrollment growth — and the highest headcount since 2014 — with 10,461 students enrolled for the fall 2025 semester by the 10th day of the term. This marks a 2% increase over the fall of 2024, when 10,277 students were enrolled.

The steady climb follows a significant rebound from the pandemic low of 7,882 students in the fall of 2020. Since then, ECC has experienced year-over-year gains, representing a 33% increase over the past five years.

“Six years of enrollment gains are remarkable in today’s higher education climate,” said ECC President Peggy Heinrich, EdD. “This consistent growth reflects the trust our community has in ECC and the opportunities we provide. Students know they can find pathways here that align with their goals, whether transferring to a university or entering the workforce.”

ECC’s enrollment growth stands out as many colleges nationwide are still regaining ground after years of pandemic-related declines. College officials attribute the increase to expanded academic pathways, strong support services, and the college’s continued investment in career and technical education programs.

The upward momentum comes as ECC continues progress on its new 150,000-square-foot Manufacturing and Technology Center, slated to open in the fall of 2026.

“Students and families see the value of ECC not only as a starting point for higher education, but also as a driver of opportunity for the local workforce,” Heinrich added.

This fall’s enrollment also coincides with ECC’s increase in area high school students, allowing more students to earn college credit while in high school. ECC has doubled the number of high school students earning college credit in just five years.

In the 2024–2025 academic year, a total of 2,085 high school students earned college credit through ECC, up from 1,836 students in 2023-2024. These partnerships are helping more students start college earlier, save on tuition, and prepare for successful transfer or career pathways.

Noncredit Enrollment and Student Success

ECC’s growth extends beyond traditional credit programs. Last year, 2,576 non-credit students stepped through ECC’s doors. That represents an extraordinary 112% increase in non-credit enrollment compared to the previous year. Non-credit programs, which include professional development, workforce training, and lifelong learning are expanding ECC’s impact across the community.

Student success is also at an all-time high. In 2024, ECC awarded 1,347 degrees and certificates, the largest number in the college’s history.

Additional Student Success Milestones

• Hispanic/Latino Enrollment: While down 1% from last fall, ECC’s Hispanic/Latino student population has grown 62% since fall 2021

• Transfer Pathways: The number of students preparing to transfer to a four-year institution is up 9% over the past year and 57% since 2021, reflecting ECC’s strong university partnerships and transfer preparation

• High School Students: The number of students who are still in high school has increased 10% from last year and an impressive 113% since 2021, underscoring the strength of ECC’s dual credit program

• University Transfer Enrollment is up 264 students (4%) compared to fall 2024

• Career Tech Enrollment is up 221 students (9%) compared to fall 2024

For more information about academic programs, visit elgin.edu.