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East Central College
Union, Missouri · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO 63084 · Phone: (636) 584-6500 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
East Central College is a public trade school in Union, Missouri, offering welding, HVAC, and culinary programs, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
East Central College has a 47.6% completion rate, below Missouri's 69.3% state average, with graduates carrying a median debt of $9,500 and median earnings of $36,916 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for East Central College; contact the school for current tuition. Federal financial aid, including FAFSA and Pell Grants, can be used here, and 33.3% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,200 | $51,950 | $61,660 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $39,180 | $59,950 | $74,610 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $39,650 | $64,480 | $76,520 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $34,390 | $42,160 | $47,230 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $50,810 | $73,080 | $80,770 |
| Medical records specialists | $38,880 | $50,750 | $63,150 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,950 | $49,160 | $63,240 |
| Machinists | $44,120 | $58,710 | $72,540 |
| Medical assistants | $35,810 | $40,440 | $46,600 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Missouri (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 20 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 15 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | $43,070 | $41,193 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 7 | $43,070 | $41,193 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 1–2 years | 7 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 3 | $26,032 | $30,771 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 1 | $26,032 | $30,771 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
East Central College is a public trade and career training campus in Union, Missouri. It participates in federal Title IV financial aid, meaning students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for programs. The college holds accreditation through the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditors including the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the Missouri State Board of Nursing. Its most-awarded trade programs are welding (40 completions), HVAC (21), and culinary & pastry arts (21), out of 19 total program families offered, including EMT training, medical billing and coding, auto mechanics, CNC machining, and medical assisting.
Federal data show a completion rate of 47.6%, which is below the Missouri state average of 69.3%. Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, and median earnings ten years after entry are $36,916. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 33.3% of students receive Pell Grants, indicating a meaningful share of lower-income enrollment among the school's 1,639 undergraduates.
This campus, located in a distant-town locale, may suit students seeking hands-on trade instruction in fields like welding, HVAC, and culinary arts, though specific program lengths are not reported here. Career changers should contact the school directly to confirm program schedules and format. Prospective students can verify accreditation status and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard or by contacting East Central College directly.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
East Central College offers 19 program families, most notably welding, HVAC, and culinary & pastry arts, along with EMT training, medical billing and coding, auto mechanics, CNC machining, and medical assisting.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, East Central College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, with additional program-specific accreditation from the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology, and the Missouri State Board of Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so students can apply for FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants and federal loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 47.6%, which is below the Missouri state average of 69.3%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, according to federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings ten years after entry are $36,916, per federal data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school directly for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
East Central College is a public institution, which typically means lower tuition for in-state residents and eligibility for state funding, though this doesn't guarantee lower overall cost of attendance.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in the available data; contact the school to confirm schedules for specific programs like welding or HVAC.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can verify accreditation and outcomes through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?177250, or by contacting the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program length or scheduling flexibility, so career changers should contact the school at (636) 584-6500 or via https://www.eastcentral.edu/ to confirm fit.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported in this data; contact the school or relevant state licensing board for specifics on programs like radiologic technology or nursing.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach East Central College at (636) 584-6500 or through its website at https://www.eastcentral.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data with nearby schools is not reported here; use the College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?177250 to compare completion rates, debt, and earnings across institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in Missouri
- Saint Louis Community CollegeBridgeton, MO · college
- Jefferson CollegeHillsboro, MO · 38% completion
- St Louis College of Health Careers-FentonFenton, MO · college
- Midwest InstituteEarth City, MO · 55% completion
- American Trade SchoolSaint Ann, MO · 72% completion
- Four Rivers Career CenterWashington, MO · 100% completion
- Evolve Beauty AcademyWashing, MO · 81% completion
- Abundant Transport EnterpriseFlorissant, MO
See all trade and career schools in Missouri or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.