Student Outcomes
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 41.1%
- Median Earnings (10 years after entry)
- $45,516
- Median Debt at Graduation
- $7,390
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Loan Repayment Rate
- 46.2%
- Estimated Monthly Loan Payment
- $78/mo
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $55,964 | $8,680 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $49,019 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $48,432 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,478 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,305 | |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $42,682 | $2,952 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $40,188 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $39,741 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $36,674 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $32,332 | |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $31,305 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $30,323 | $6,500 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $24,863 |
Outcomes Overview
ECC graduates enter the workforce with manageable debt loads. The median debt of $7,390 creates a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 16%, well below national averages for two-year colleges. Monthly loan payments of $78 consume only 2.2% of typical graduate income. The 92.3% employment rate reflects strong local job market connections in the northwest Chicago suburbs. Many graduates transfer to four-year universities or enter healthcare, manufacturing, and business services careers that dominate the regional economy. With median earnings reaching $45,516 within ten years and minimal debt burden, ECC delivers a strong return on investment for students seeking affordable career preparation or university transfer pathways.