ECC vs. Joliet Junior College

Comparable Facts

Compare Elgin Community College in Elgin, IL with Joliet Junior College in Joliet, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Joliet Junior College is larger than ECC based on total student enrollment (14,414 students vs. 10,251 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elgin Community College is located in Elgin, IL (Midsize City setting); Joliet Junior College is in Joliet, IL (Rural Fringe setting).
• Elgin Community College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution. Joliet Junior College is a public, non-profit 2-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elgin Community College 21:1; Joliet Junior College 20:1.

ECC vs. Joliet Junior College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, ECC or Joliet Junior College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Joliet Junior College than ECC ($3,090 vs. $5,020).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elgin Community College are 11.4% lower than at Joliet Junior College ($8,829 vs. $9,970).
• Joliet Junior College is 78.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than ECC (about $5,610 more per year; $12,750.00 vs. $7,140.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 45% higher at Joliet Junior College than at Elgin Community College (about $4,284 more per year; $13,800.00 vs. $9,516.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elgin Community College than at Joliet Junior College (69% vs. 58%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Joliet Junior College students is 21.9% larger than aid received by Elgin Community College students ($6,311 vs. $5,178).

ECC vs. Joliet Junior College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, ECC or Joliet Junior College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Joliet Junior College and ECC.

• Both colleges report an open admissions policy; selectivity can still vary by program or major.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: ECC - Open admission; Joliet Junior College - Open admission.
• Typical fall application deadline: Joliet Junior College Aug 16, 2027.

ECC vs. Joliet Junior College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for ECC and Joliet Junior College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Graduates from Elgin Community College earn a median of about $1,400 more per year than Joliet Junior College graduates about ten years after starting college ($35,500 vs. $34,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Elgin Community College graduates have a $2,607 lower median loan debt than Joliet Junior College graduates ($5,393 vs. $8,000).
• Among borrowers, ECC graduates have an estimated $27 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Joliet Junior College graduates ($55 vs. $82).
• More ECC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Joliet Junior College students, three years after graduation. (44% vs. 36%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.