School Highlights
East Central College serves 3,192 students (40% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 13:1 is lower than the state community college average of 16:1.
Minority enrollment is 11% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is less than the state average of 41%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 3,192 students
- In-state tuition: $3,240
- Out-state tuition: $6,120
- Acceptance Rate: 95%
- Student:teacher ratio: 13:1
- Minority enrollment: 11%
- Source: Verified school update
School Overview
The teacher population of 245 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
East Central College
(MO) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-Mixed Traditional/Nontraditional
Baccalaureate Colleges: Diverse Fields
Institution Level
At least 2 but less than 4 years
At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control
Public
Public
Total Faculty
245 staff
139 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of East Central College has grown by 20% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 13:1 has increased from 11:1 over five years.
The East Central College diversity score of 0.21 is less than the state average of 0.61. The school's diversity has grown by 38% over five years.
Total Enrollment
3,192 students
1,159 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
13:1
16:1
# Full-Time Students
1,284 students
718 students
# Part-Time Students
1,908 students
1,407 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
319 students
246 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
1,284 students
834 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
11 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
1,908 students
684 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
9 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
n/a
200 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
1%
2%
% Hispanic
3%
6%
% Black
1%
10%
% White
89%
59%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
4%
4%
% Non Resident races
n/a
1%
% Unknown races
n/a
17%
Diversity Score
0.21
0.61
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
0.3908%
0.433%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
0.6154%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$30,000
$30,900
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $3,240 is less than the state average of $3,825. The in-state tuition has declined by 24% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,120 is more than the state average of $5,579. The out-state tuition has stayed relatively flat over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$3,240
$3,825
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,120
$5,579
Tuition Notes
Cost is based on 30
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
95%
91%
Median Debt for Graduates
$9,625
$10,500
Median Debt for Dropouts
$5,500
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
95%
94%
Sports
Total Sports Offered
3 sports
Sports
Soccer, Softball, Volleyball
Extracurriculars
Total ExtracurricularsTotal Extra-curric.
1 extracurricular
ExtracurricularsExtra-curric.
Club or Organization:
Student Ambassadors
Student Ambassadors
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) , School Administrators
School Notes
- As the primary provider of higher education in the area, East Central College serves the needs of those in the college district and service region by providing quality educational programs and services. As an open access institution, ECC serves students who have a range of preparation and ability. As a learning organization, the College preserves and enhances its commitment to continuous quality improvement.
- ECC offers 25 transfer majors and associate degree and certificate programs in 23 career/technical fields.
- Since its inception, ECC has been a dynamic entity within the local region, offering excellent educational opportunities and program partnerships between the College, other educational organizations, and local business and industry. The College has helped countless individuals prepare for careers, begin work on college degrees, and take part in enrichment programs and cultural activities.
- East Central Junior College was established on April 2, 1968. The name of the college was changed in 1980 from East Central Junior College to East Central College to reflect the comprehensive nature of the institution and its mission to provide not only the first two years of a baccalaureate education, but career and technical programs and other services to meet the needs of the region.
- The College held its first classes in September, 1969, in temporary facilities at Memorial Auditorium and other rented locations in Union. There were 476 students enrolled the first semester. That same year the Board of Trustees approved the purchase of land for a permanent campus. A site was selected just east of Union, a 114-acre tract bordered on the north by Highway 50. An additional 92 acres were purchased in 1994 to accommodate expansion and growth.
- The first classes at the permanent campus were held January 24, 1972, in the Administration Building. During the course of the next three decades, voters approved bond issues to fund construction of additional buildings on the campus. A $15.8 million bond issue was approved in August of 2006 to fund construction of the seventh major campus facility, the Health and Science Building, completed in the winter of 2009. During the 2010-2011 academic year, the first building on campus, the Administration Building, was expanded and remodeled. The remodeled facility includes student services, the library, learning center, general classrooms and administrative offices. The building was formally dedicated October 30, 2011, in honor of the late George H. Buescher. Mr. Buescher was a member of the original Board of Trustees, serving from 1968 to 1980.
- On September 18, 2014, the college named the auditorium and classroom buildings on the Union campus after Robert Hansen. A charter member of the board of trustees, Hansen was instrumental in the growth of the college and served on the board for 28 years.
- During commencement ceremonies May 16, 2015, the Multipurpose Building was dedicated, honoring Don Shook, ECC's founding president. The Donald Shook Student Center houses the gym and athletic departments, booksote, cafe, fitness center and spaces for student organizations and the student newspaper.
- In addition to the 200+ acre main campus in Union, East Central College offers courses and programs at off-campus locations in Rolla, Sullivan, and Washington, Missouri to bring educational opportunities to a growing number of students. Each semester approximately 3,400 students enroll in credit classes; females making up 62 percent of the student body. In 2012-13, degrees and certificates were awarded to 479 students. There are currently 75 full-time faculty members and 135 people in full-time administrative, professional and support positions.
- The Center for Workforce Development at East Central College specializes in training to meet the needs for both the local business and industry and the individual. Customized Training provides a myriad of courses and workshops in areas such as management, manufacturing, human resources, technology and computers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does East Central College cost?
East Central College's tuition is approximately $3,240 for In-State students and $6,120 for Out-State students.
What is the acceptance rate of East Central College?
The acceptance rate of East Central College is 95%, which is higher than the state average of 94%.
What sports does East Central College offer?
East Central College offers 3 interscholastic sports: Soccer, Softball and Volleyball.
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