Elgin Community College (ECC) is located in the state of Illinois, only 60 km northwest of Chicago (the third largest city in the USA). ECC is one of the top 150 community colleges in the USA, as designated by the Aspen Institute’s College Excellence Program. ECC awards the following degrees:

• Associate in Arts (AA)

• Associate in Science (AS)

• Associate in Engineering Science (AES)

• Associate in Fine Arts (AFA)

• Associate in Liberal Studies (ALS)

• Associate in Applied Science (AAS)

For students interested in obtaining a bachelor’s degree, ECC has transfer partnerships with some of the top universities in the country, including University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign, University of Wisconsin – Madison, Northern Illinois University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and many others! In most cases, students can complete a 2 year associate degree at ECC, and then complete 2 years at a transfer institution to earn a bachelor’s degree.

No TOEFL or IELTS is required for admission. Students will take a placement test upon arrival and, if not English proficient, take courses through our nationally recognized intensive English program.

Finally, students are encouraged to take part in our homestay program. This is a unique opportunity to live in an American home as a member of a family while pursuing a degree. This provides students with a clean, safe, and caring environment in which to live while adapting to American life and culture.

Why Elgin Community College

At ECC, you’ll join a welcoming community of faculty and staff who care about your success. Our 9,000 students and more than 40,000 alumni represent a diverse range of backgrounds, ages, career interests, and goals—while sharing a strong sense of community and a commitment to success.

Elgin Community College values:

• Enhanced teaching environment:
  • Excellence - Our programs and services strive for the highest level of excellence to successfully achieve our Vision. We use research based methods to strengthen curriculum and deliver high-quality learning-centered instruction and services.
  • Freedom of Inquiry - We believe learning is most engaging and viable when a spirit of free inquiry exists, allowing everyone the freedom to explore new and diverse ideas and to express their interests and attitudes. We strive to create environments where inquiry flourishes and guides innovation.
  • Equity - We are an inclusive community that provides students, employees, and community members with full access to all resources needed to achieve their individual goals. We commit to creating an environment that is equitable and inclusive to all.

• Campus life:
  • Diversity - We value and honor diversity in all forms and perspectives. To successfully achieve our Vision, we provide a safe and inclusive community that promotes and affirms individual growth, social responsibility, and self-worth for success in a global world.
  • Ethical Practices - We are responsible to carry out our work with honesty and integrity. Our decisions and actions are guided by our Vision and not by personal interests, and they will be enacted with a sense of service to students and community members.
  • Accountability - As a public institution we commit to make the best use of resources. We strive to be transparent in reporting our decisions and actions and seek feedback from others as we continuously improve our practices.
  • Collaboration - We are actively committed to serving students, employees, and communities. The decisions and actions we undertake in carrying out our Vision derive from working cooperatively with local through global constituencies.