Public
Accredited · Higher Learning Commission
Elgin, Illinois
Elgin Community College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$9,837Annual Cost
$45,516Grad Salary
21.9%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$5,778
Need-Based Aid
21.9% receive Pell
Elgin Community College serves Illinois' Fox River Valley. Established in 1949, ECC features the Spartan Events Center.
The college excels in manufacturing and healthcare programs. ECC's 'University Center' hosts bachelor's programs.
Elgin Community College Acceptance Rate
Elgin Community College (ECC) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Check Your Admission Chances at ECC
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Elgin Community College's verified institutional data
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Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Elgin Community College (ECC) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into ECC Without SAT or ACT?
The admission test score (SAT/ACT) policy for Elgin Community College is unknown. But it is better to submit the test score if you have performed well in the test. It gives an extra opportunity to showcase your skills and competencies and hence will improve your chances of admission. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. But if your score is not up to the mark and is less than the national or state average, then it is better not to submit the score as it will impact negatively.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for ECC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
ECC provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
Confirm District 509 legal residency before you build a nursing application around it
ECC's nursing program requires applicants to be legal residents of Community College District 509 - working within the district does not satisfy this requirement. Verify your residency status with an academic advisor early, since discovering a residency gap late in the process can derail an otherwise strong application.
Treat nursing admission as a 61-point ranked competition, not a pass/fail prerequisite checklist
Scoring is split between prerequisite courses (37 points possible) and additional nursing-relevant courses (24 points possible), with grades weighted on a sliding scale - an A in BIO 265 earns 9 points, a B earns 6, a C earns only 3. Two applicants who both "meet requirements" with C's versus A's can have very different point totals, so retaking a prerequisite to move from a C to a B or A is a real, quantifiable strategy here, not just a GPA nicety.
Stack the optional "additional nursing program courses" to boost your score above the baseline
Beyond the required prerequisites, ECC awards extra points for completing specific additional nursing-related courses before applying. Since only about 60 students are admitted per fall/spring cycle, deliberately taking these bonus-eligible courses in advance - rather than applying with just the bare prerequisites - is one of the few concrete levers applicants have to improve their ranking.
If you're applying with a prerequisite course still in progress, know exactly how it gets scored
A course in progress at the application deadline is scored as if you earned a "C" - but if you ultimately fail to pass it, your admission is voided and you must reapply in a future cycle. Plan your prerequisite sequence so that anything still in progress at the January 15 or August 15 deadline is a course you're genuinely confident in passing, not one you're hoping to pull through.
Expert Insight:
F-1 international students are explicitly ineligible for ECC's nursing program - a hard exclusion that's easy to miss amid the otherwise open-admission framing of the college. Combined with the point-ranked (not pass/fail) nature of nursing admission, students sometimes discover too late either that they don't qualify by visa status or that meeting the minimum grade bar wasn't enough to actually rank into one of the roughly 60 available seats per cycle.
ECC Profile
Full Name
Elgin Community College (ECC)
City
Elgin
State
Illinois
ZIP Code
60123-7193
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Higher Learning Commission (NCACHE)
Is a ECC Degree Worth It?
Getting into ECC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. ECC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at ECC is $84,200 and the graduate unemployment rate is 3.31%.
How much does a degree from ECC Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Elgin Community College is $9,837. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Elgin Community College is $5,778.
21.9% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 3.2 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to ECC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Elgin Community College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist ECC as your choice in the form.
How much does a ECC Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $45,516. An average ECC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at ECC
Associate Degree Programs
Full list of all degree programs offered by Elgin Community College →
Frequently Asked Questions About ECC Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $45,516 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $9,837 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
21.9% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.