Skip to main content
$1,144Tuition
18,994Students
37%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$41,589Earnings
Public2-yearIndependentStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About El Camino Community College District

El Camino serves the South Bay with a focus on transfer preparation and career training across its sprawling suburban campus. The district enrolls 18,994 students and has built a reputation for strong programs in nursing, automotive technology, and business. Students here are serious about getting their general education requirements done affordably before transferring to four-year universities.

The financial picture makes sense for most families. Students pay an average net price of $5,170, with those from families earning under $30,000 paying just $4,379. Graduates earn a median of $41,589 ten years after starting, though only 1.24% of students take out federal loans. The 36.70% six-year completion rate reflects the reality that many students transfer before finishing their associate degrees.

The student body is 49.25% Hispanic and draws heavily from local communities, with 93.61% coming from California. Class sizes run large with a 27:1 student-faculty ratio, so expect less individual attention than at smaller colleges. The athletics program fields 20 varsity sports for 360 student-athletes, though no athletic scholarships are available. This is a commuter school where students come to learn, not to build lifelong campus memories.

Academics & Faculty

El Camino Community College District serves as a major transfer pathway for students heading to four-year universities, particularly the UC and CSU systems. The 27:1 student-faculty ratio means larger class sizes typical of community colleges, though this keeps costs low for the district's nearly 19,000 students. The 37% six-year graduation rate reflects the reality that many students attend part-time while working or take longer to complete transfer requirements. The college is known for strong nursing and automotive technology programs that lead directly to careers. Students also use El Camino as an affordable way to complete general education requirements before transferring to complete bachelor's degrees.

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

Student-to-Faculty Ratio
27:1
Full-Time Faculty
36.4%
Graduation Rate (6-year)
36.7%
Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,589

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
ProgramLevelMedian Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $63,005
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. Associate $54,661
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. Associate $31,423
Business Administration, Management and Operations. Associate $29,685
Criminal Justice and Corrections. Associate $25,281

View all 107 programs →

Campus Life

El Camino spans multiple campuses across the South Bay, with the main Torrance campus just 15 miles from downtown Los Angeles. Nearly 94% of the 18,994 students come from in-state, creating a tight-knit community feel despite the large enrollment. The Mediterranean climate means you'll need sunscreen year-round but can leave the winter coat at home.

As a commuter school, students don't live on campus, but many stick around between classes at the student center or library. The 27:1 student-faculty ratio means you'll be in larger lecture halls for popular courses. Weekends often involve beach trips to nearby Redondo or Manhattan Beach, just 10 minutes away. The campus sits in the heart of aerospace country, surrounded by major employers like SpaceX and Northrop Grumman. Students juggle classes with work, as evidenced by the 29% receiving Pell Grants. The diverse student body reflects the broader LA area, with 49% Hispanic and strong representation across all ethnic groups.
Setting
Suburb-Large
Calendar System
Semester
Study Abroad
Available

Campus Safety (2023)

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

Campus safety incidents by location
OffenseOn CampusResidentialNoncampusPublic Property
Fondling 8 0 0 0
Burglary 7 0 0 0
Stalking 7 0 0 0
Aggravated Assault 1 0 1 3
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 0 1 0
Dating Violence 2 0 0 0
Arson 1 0 0 0
Domestic Violence 1 0 0 0
Murder 1 0 0 0
Rape 0 0 1 0
Robbery 1 0 0 0

Climate & Weather

January Avg
49°–67°F
July Avg
64°–77°F
Annual Precipitation
11.8"
Annual Snowfall
0.0"

Student Demographics

El Camino serves the diverse South Bay community with nearly half of students identifying as Hispanic and strong representation across all ethnic groups. The student body reflects California's working-class families, with nearly 30% receiving Pell Grants and most paying under $5,000 annually. Students come overwhelmingly from California, creating tight local connections to employers in aerospace, healthcare, and manufacturing. The slight female majority aligns with the college's strong nursing and allied health programs. This community college attracts students seeking affordable career training and university transfer pathways close to home.
Men
47.6%
Women
52.4%
White
15.2%
Black
12.8%
Hispanic
49.3%
Asian
9.3%
In-State Students
93.6%
Pell Grant Recipients
29.4%

Location

El Camino Community College serves nearly 19,000 students in Torrance, California, about 20 miles southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The campus sits in the South Bay region, known for its aerospace industry and proximity to both LAX airport and the Pacific coastline. Torrance blends suburban residential neighborhoods with major corporate headquarters, including Toyota's North American operations. Students can reach Manhattan Beach and other coastal areas within minutes, while downtown LA remains accessible via major freeways. The district draws 93.61% of its enrollment from California residents, reflecting strong local ties to the surrounding South Bay communities. Students considering colleges in California may also compare El Camino Community College District with similar schools in the region.
Address
Torrance, California 90506
Brian Wilson
Brian Wilson
El Camino Community College District campus
El Camino Community College District campus
El Camino Community College District campus
El Camino Community College District campus

After College

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

Median Earnings (10 years)
$41,589
Median Earnings (5 years)
$45,339
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry)
$26,800
Loan Repayment Rate
24.5%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the admission requirements for El Camino Community College District?

El Camino operates under California's open enrollment policy for community colleges, meaning virtually anyone can enroll regardless of high school grades. The district serves 18,994 students across its campuses, making it one of the larger community college systems in Southern California. Students primarily use El Camino as a stepping stone to four-year universities or to gain career-focused skills.

How much does El Camino Community College District cost after financial aid?

Students pay an average net price of $5,170 annually, though costs vary by family income. Low-income families earning under $30,000 pay just $4,379 after aid, while those earning over $110,000 pay $10,042. Only 29.37% of students receive financial aid, reflecting the already low base tuition of $1,144 for California residents.

What is the student-faculty ratio at El Camino Community College District?

Classes average 27 students per faculty member, which is typical for large community college systems. The district focuses heavily on transfer preparation and career training programs. Students benefit from smaller class sizes in specialized programs while general education courses tend to be larger.

What are the graduation rates and earnings outcomes for El Camino Community College District students?

About 36.70% of students complete their programs within six years, which includes both transfer and career certificate completions. Graduates earn a median of $41,589 ten years after enrollment, reflecting the district's strong ties to South Bay employers in aerospace, healthcare, and technology. The loan repayment rate stands at 24.52%, indicating many graduates successfully manage their debt.

Where is El Camino Community College District located and what is the campus environment like?

The district operates in Torrance, a large suburban area in Los Angeles County's South Bay region. Students come overwhelmingly from California, with 93.61% being in-state residents. The suburban setting provides easy access to both beach communities and major employment centers in aerospace and technology.

Does El Camino Community College District offer athletic programs?

The district fields 20 varsity sports teams with 360 total student-athletes competing as independents. Athletic programs do not offer scholarships, keeping the focus on academics and transfer preparation. Sports serve as an important part of campus life while maintaining the community college mission of accessible education.