For the Media

An Achieving the Dream Leader College of Distinction and one of the Aspen Institute’s Top 25 schools in the nation, ECC is a comprehensive, fully accredited public community college that serves approximately 16,000 students each year. 

ECC At a Glance

• Founded in 1949
• Fall 2024’s student enrollment is up 7% from fall 2023. It offers more than 30 major fields for university transfer, a full complement of pre-collegiate courses, corporate and continuing education, and more than 130 career-oriented occupational degrees and certificates.
• ECC has been designated a Hispanic-serving institution by the U.S. Department of Education since 2009. Since fall 2018, our Hispanic/Latinx student population has surged by 30% to become the largest and fastest-growing group of students on campus. This presents a tremendous area for impact in the community.
• Service Area: The College serves residents in 5 counties, including most of Kane County and parts of Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, and McHenry. The 360-square-mile (930 km2) District serves 440,419 people, 12,000+ businesses, four public school districts (300, 301, 303, U-46), and 15 high schools.
• Elgin Community College employees: 1,105

Student Population

Students

12,663

Average age

25; 58% under 23

Enrollment status (fall and spring only)

68% part-time, 32% full time

Area of Study

• University Transfer: 60%
• Career and Technical: 13%
• English as a Second Language: 10%
• Non-degree: 10%
• Adult Basic Education: 7%

Graduation Rate

Three-year graduation rate: 43% (Exceeds the national average and the average of area peer colleges. Includes full-time, first-time degree-/certificate-seeking students who began their studies in fall 2018.)

Race and Ethnicity

• Hispanic or Latino: 52%
• White: 31%
• Asian: 7%
• Black or African American: 4%
• Unknown: 3%

Gender

• 57% female
• 43% male

Number of degrees/certificates awarded in the past year: 2,201 (summer 2021 through spring 2022)

Student-to-faculty ratio: 17:1

Percentage of faculty with a master’s degree or higher: 79%

Scope of Offerings

• Each year, Elgin Community College offers educational and cultural programming to more than 54,000 credit and non-credit students of all ages.
• The College offers seven associate degrees, including the Associate of Applied Science, 30 areas of study, and 130 certificate programs for today's career and technical subject areas. Courses are offered at over three sites throughout Community College District 509 and online.
• Over 25 percent of all high school graduates attend Elgin Community College during their college career.
• The college also offers adult and basic education; State of Illinois High School Diploma instruction and testing; citizenship preparation; English as a second language (ESL); and workforce development for employers.
• Student-athletes compete in regional and national tournaments in the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) and the Illinois Skyway Conference. We are a Division II school. Men’s athletics teams: Baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, tennis. Women’s athletics teams: Basketball, soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball.

Accreditation and Recognition

• Elgin Community College has been recognized by the Illinois Community College Board. Recognition is a state statutory term describing the status of a community college district in Illinois that meets academic, student support, financial, facility, and reporting standards as established by the Illinois Community College Board.
• ECC has been designated a Hispanic Serving Institution by the US Department of Education since 2009.
• ECC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the US Department of Education.
• In addition to institutional accreditation, many Elgin Community College career and technical programs are approved or accredited by appropriate specialized associations or agencies.
• ECC has specialized transfer partnerships with more than 30 colleges and universities, covering more than 100 college majors. ECC also partners with more than 100 schools in the Illinois Articulation Initiative.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

• ECC connected approximately 5,000 students to over $21 million in financial aid.
• ECC Board of Trustees scholarships, ECC Foundation scholarships, and ECC tuition waivers totaling over $708,000 were distributed to 672 students.
• Private scholarships and other private funding resources totaling over $287,683 were disbursed to 178 students.

Updated September 2024.