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Elgin Community College
Elgin, Illinois · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin, IL 60123 · Phone: (847) 697-1000 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
Sanction on record, since lifted — Aug 2025 · Probation · Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology; Jan 2026 · Renewal of Accreditation. 2 sanction actions in the window.
Elgin Community College is a public trade and career school in Elgin, Illinois, offering auto mechanic, EMT/paramedic, and HVAC training, accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Elgin Community College's completion rate is 41.1%, below the Illinois state average of 58.4%; median graduate debt is $7,390 and median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,516, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for Elgin Community College in federal data; the school participates in federal financial aid (Title IV), and about 22.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $34,190 | $49,170 | $73,640 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $36,420 | $42,260 | $49,640 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $46,690 | $77,410 | $96,030 |
| Nursing assistants | $37,590 | $45,960 | $48,380 |
| Chefs and head cooks | $40,330 | $58,830 | $73,620 |
| Surgical technologists | $48,560 | $64,650 | $77,670 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,890 | $51,320 | $61,520 |
| Dental assistants | $37,360 | $48,610 | $56,860 |
| Heavy and tractor-trailer truck drivers | $39,710 | $60,320 | $75,600 |
| Machinists | $38,390 | $58,520 | $65,620 |
| Phlebotomists | $37,370 | $46,010 | $49,720 |
| Medical assistants | $36,400 | $46,090 | $49,460 |
| Massage therapists | $33,770 | $60,490 | $77,550 |
| Radiologic technologists and technicians | $59,350 | $79,930 | $97,950 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in Illinois (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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 77 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 67 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, under 300 hours | 66 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, under 300 hours | 62 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, under 300 hours | 39 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 34 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 33 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Ground Transportation | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 32 | $40,454 | $42,682 | $2,952 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 29 | $52,333 | $48,432 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 24 | not reported | $36,674 | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 23 | $52,333 | $48,432 | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, under 300 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 14 | not reported | $46,478 | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 14 | $44,532 | $45,305 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 13 | not reported | $36,674 | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 13 | $31,850 | $38,289 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 12 | not reported | $36,674 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 11 | not reported | $49,019 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | $46,478 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | $24,863 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 4 | not reported | $24,863 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | $36,674 | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Certificate, under 300 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $24,863 | not reported |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions | Certificate, 1–2 years | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | $40,188 | 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
Elgin Community College is a public trade and career training campus in Elgin, Illinois. It participates in federal financial aid programs (Title IV), meaning eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal loans to help pay for coursework. The college holds accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission, along with program-specific accreditors including the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and others tied to its health and technical programs. Among its 30 program offerings, the most-completed are auto mechanic training, EMT and paramedic training, and HVAC programs.
Federal data shows a completion rate of 41.1%, which is below the Illinois state average of 58.4%. Graduates who took out loans carried a median debt of $7,390. Median earnings ten years after entry were reported at $45,516 for students overall. Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 22.0% of students receive Pell Grants, suggesting a meaningful share of the student body qualifies as lower-income.
This campus may suit students interested in hands-on trade training within a broader community college setting, including those pursuing shorter certificate-style programs alongside associate degrees. Because program lengths and schedule details are not specified in the data provided, prospective students—including career changers—should confirm program length, format, and fit directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and review updated outcome figures, contact the school at (847) 697-1000, visit elgin.edu, or check the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Elgin Community College offers 30 programs across families including auto mechanics, EMT training, HVAC, culinary, welding, and more. The most-completed programs are auto mechanic schools, EMT & paramedic training, and HVAC schools.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Elgin Community College is accredited. Its accreditors include the Higher Learning Commission along with program-specific bodies such as the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, the American Dental Association's Commission on Dental Accreditation, and the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, this school participates in Title IV federal financial aid programs, so eligible students can use FAFSA, Pell Grants, and federal student loans.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 41.1%, which is below the Illinois state average of 58.4%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Graduates carry a median debt of $7,390, based on federal data.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Median earnings 10 years after entry are $45,516, 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 at (847) 697-1000 or visit elgin.edu for current tuition figures.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Elgin Community College is a public institution, which often means lower tuition rates for in-state students compared to private for-profit schools, though this listing does not report specific cost figures.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Specific program lengths are not reported for this campus in the data provided. Contact the school directly to confirm program duration.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can review accreditation and outcome data through the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard at https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/school/?144944, or contact the school directly.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The data does not specify program schedules or formats designed for adult learners, so this cannot be confirmed from federal data alone; contact the school to discuss fit for career changers.
What license or certification will I need after finishing a program here?
Licensing and certification requirements are not reported for this campus in federal data. Contact the school directly for program-specific requirements.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Elgin Community College at (847) 697-1000 or visit https://www.elgin.edu/ for application information.
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See all trade and career schools in Illinois 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.