East Los Angeles College: $1,238 Tuition

$1,238Tuition

24,401Students

33%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$42,006Earnings

Public2-yearIndependentStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About East Los Angeles College

East Los Angeles College serves as a gateway to higher education for working-class families in the San Gabriel Valley. With 24,401 students spread across a suburban campus in Monterey Park, this community college has built its reputation on accessibility and transfer preparation since 1945. The school functions as a launching pad for students aiming to transfer to four-year universities or enter the workforce directly.

The financial proposition here is straightforward and student-friendly. After aid, students typically pay around $9,791 per year, making this one of the most affordable college options in Southern California. Graduates who complete their programs earn a median of $42,006 ten years later, while carrying just $10,500 in debt with monthly payments of $111. The employment rate hits 86.9%, suggesting strong job market outcomes for completers.

The student body reflects the surrounding community, with 64.88% Hispanic enrollment and 94.64% of students from California. Class sizes run large with a 30:1 student-faculty ratio, typical for community colleges. The Huskies field 17 varsity sports teams with 422 total athletes, though without athletic scholarships. Only 22.27% of students receive federal financial aid, indicating many families pay out of pocket for this affordable option.

Academics & Faculty

East Los Angeles College serves as a launching pad for students in one of the most diverse communities in California. With 64.88% Hispanic enrollment, ELAC has built a reputation for strong transfer programs that help students move on to four-year universities. The 30:1 student-faculty ratio means larger classes are common, requiring students to be proactive about seeking help. The 33.30% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges many community college students face while balancing work and family responsibilities. ELAC is particularly known for its nursing and allied health programs, which prepare students for immediate employment in healthcare fields. The college also offers robust career and technical education programs.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 30:1
Full-Time Faculty: 33.1%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 33.3%
Median Earnings (10 years): $42,006

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions.	Associate	$60,161
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities.	Certificate	$40,485
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Associate	$38,289
Psychology, General.	Associate	$27,439
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Associate	$22,824

View all 98 programs →

Campus Life

The campus sprawls across Monterey Park, just 15 minutes east of downtown Los Angeles. With 24,401 students packed into a commuter college setting, parking lots fill early and stay busy all day. Students need sunscreen year-round as Southern California temperatures hover in the 70s and 80s most months.

This is quint a commuter school where 94.64% of students are California residents who drive in for classes then head home or to work. The 30:1 student-faculty ratio means large lecture halls are common, especially for general education requirements. Hispanic students make up 64.88% of enrollment, reflecting the surrounding San Gabriel Valley's demographics.

Weekends see campus mostly empty as students scatter across the sprawling LA metro area. The 17 varsity sports teams, nicknamed the Huskies, compete independently without athletic scholarships drawing major crowds. Most social connections happen during the week between classes or in study groups. Students often transfer after completing their associate degrees, with the 6-year graduation rate sitting at 33.30%.

Setting: Suburb-Large
Calendar System: Semester
Study Abroad: Available
Founded: 1945

Campus Safety (2023)

21 total reported incidents. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Public Property
Burglary	8	0
Motor Vehicle Theft	5	1
Aggravated Assault	4	0
Fondling	1	1
Robbery	1	0

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 46°–68°F
July Avg: 65°–85°F
Annual Precipitation: 15.7"
Annual Snowfall: 0.0"

Student Demographics

East Los Angeles College serves the working-class Latino families of East LA and surrounding communities. Nearly two-thirds of students are Hispanic, reflecting the college's deep roots in this historically Mexican-American area. The school draws almost entirely from California residents who stay close to home for affordable education. Students typically come from families earning less than $30,000 annually, with many working while taking classes. The even gender split reflects ELAC's broad appeal across traditional and non-traditional students seeking career training or transfer preparation in their own neighborhood.

Men: 51.7%
Women: 48.3%
White: 11.7%
Black: 6.4%
Hispanic: 64.9%
Asian: 6.2%
In-State Students: 94.6%
Pell Grant Recipients: 22.3%

Location

East Los Angeles College sits in Monterey Park, California, just 10 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. The campus serves the San Gabriel Valley, a densely populated suburban region known for its large Asian American communities and authentic cuisine. Monterey Park itself earned the nickname "America's first suburban Chinatown" due to its significant Chinese population. The college draws 94.64% of its students from in-state, reflecting its role as a local community anchor. The area offers easy access to LA's job market while maintaining a more affordable suburban atmosphere than the city center. Hispanic students make up 64.88% of enrollment, mirroring the surrounding community's demographics. Students considering colleges in California may also compare East Los Angeles College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Monterey Park, California 91754-6099

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $42,006
Median Earnings (5 years): $47,835
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $26,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 37.3%
Monthly Loan Payment: $111/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $10,500

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements at East Los Angeles College?

East Los Angeles College operates with open enrollment as a community college, welcoming students who have graduated high school or earned a GED. The college serves 24,401 students and maintains a focus on accessibility for working-class Latino families in the San Gabriel Valley. With 94.64% of students coming from California, ELAC functions as a crucial educational gateway for local residents.

How much does East Los Angeles College cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $9,791 annually, though costs vary by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay around $9,023, while those earning $75,000-$110,000 pay $14,408. The college keeps education affordable with in-state tuition of just $1,238, reflecting its mission to serve the predominantly Hispanic community that makes up 64.88% of the student body.

What is the student-faculty ratio at East Los Angeles College?

The student-faculty ratio stands at 30:1, which is typical for large community colleges managing substantial enrollment. ELAC operates on a semester system and focuses on transfer preparation and career training programs. The college has built a reputation for helping first-generation college students navigate higher education despite larger class sizes.

What do graduates of East Los Angeles College earn after completing their programs?

Graduates earn a median of $42,006 ten years after enrollment, with employment rates reaching 86.9%. Early career earnings show $35,502 one year after completion and $47,835 after five years. The college excels at preparing students for local job markets and transfer to four-year universities, particularly serving as a pathway for students seeking upward mobility.

Where is East Los Angeles College located and what is campus life like?

The campus sits in Monterey Park, a large suburban community in the San Gabriel Valley. The Huskies compete in 17 varsity sports with 422 total athletes, though the college offers no athletic scholarships. Campus life revolves around commuter students, with many balancing work and family responsibilities while pursuing their education.

How successful are students at completing their programs at East Los Angeles College?

The six-year graduation rate reaches 33.30%, which reflects the challenges many community college students face balancing school with work and family obligations. Students who do borrow money graduate with a median debt of $10,500 and monthly loan payments of $111. Founded in 1945, ELAC has a long history of serving as an educational stepping stone for working-class families in East Los Angeles.