El Centro College

801 Main Street
Dallas, TX 75202-3604

Tel: (214) 860-2037

The purpose of El Centro College is to provide Freshman and sophomore courses in arts and sciences, Workforce education programs leading to associate degrees or certificates, Continuing adult education programs for occupational or cultural enrichment, Workforce development programs designed to meet local and statewide needs, Education programs, Ongoing counseling and guidance, Adult literacy and other basic skills programs and other purposes as may be prescribed by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board or local governing boards in the best interest of postsecondary education in Texas.

School Highlights

El Centro College serves 10,549 students (17% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 41:1 is higher than the state community college average of 35:1.
Minority enrollment is 64% of the student body (majority Hispanic), which is more than the state average of 61%.
El Centro College is one of 16 community colleges within Dallas County, TX.
The nearest community college to El Centro College is Wade College (1.7 miles away).

Top Placements

El Centro College places among the top 20% of community colleges in Texas for:

The teacher population of 260 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.

	El Centro College	(TX) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges	Baccalaureate / Associates Colleges
Institution Level	Less than 2 yrs	At least 2 but less than 4 years
Institution Control	Public	Public
Total Faculty	260 staff	76 staff

The student population of El Centro College has stayed relatively flat over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 41:1 has stayed the same over five years.
The El Centro College diversity score of 0.73 is more than the state average of 0.69. The school's diversity has stayed relatively flat over five years.

Total Enrollment	10,549 students	3,921 students

Student : Teacher Ratio	41:1	35:1

# Full-Time Students	1,764 students	1,055 students

# Part-Time Students	8,785 students	2,866 students


% American Indian/Alaskan	1%	-
% Asian	7%	4%

% Hispanic	30%	37%

% Black	20%	13%

% White	36%	39%

% Two or more races	1%	2%

% Non Resident races	-	2%

% Unknown races	5%	3%

Diversity Score	0.73	0.69

College Completion Rate	6%	21%

Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)	$31,900	$33,800

The public in-state tuition of $3,015 is less than the state average of $4,026. The in-state tuition has grown by 21% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $4,695 is less than the state average of $6,207. The out-state tuition has grown by 18% over four years.

In-State Tuition Fees	$3,015	$4,026

Out-State Tuition Fees	$4,695	$6,207

% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid	80%	83%

Median Debt for Graduates	$8,729	$9,189

Median Debt for Dropouts	$4,563	$4,596

Source: 2016 (or latest year available) IPEDS

El Centro, a college of the Dallas County Community College District, is centrally located in downtown Dallas and has played a vital role in the area's educational advancement since 1966. El Centro's central location allows students from all parts of Dallas County to take advantage of preprofessional courses transferable to four-year institutions, as well as career training in over 50 exciting fields. The campus has gained international attention for making use of a nine-story, turn-of-the-century department store, renovated to accommodate classrooms, laboratories, computer technology, student center, learning center, performance hall and administrative offices, as well as labs, arts facilities and library. Our new student and technology center, on the south side of the campus, adds a spacious student center, technology classrooms and a new main entrance to the college's downtown setting. The college offers Degrees/Certificates in Arts & Science, Business & Public Service, Communications & Math, Health & Legal Studies, Information Technology Programs & Systems Support and Urban Education. El Centro College is accredited by the Commission of Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

The nearest community college to El Centro College is Wade College (1.7 miles away).

Related School Videos

Related School News

El Centro’s Culinary School Kicks Off Expansion with Chef-Driven Events
posted on January 6, 2020 at 09:00:00 am
With the new year comes some big news for El Centro College, as its Food and Hospitality Institute is becoming the Culinary, Pastry and Hospitality program. We’ll soon ...
Transferring Credits from EL CENTRO COLLEGE
posted on August 8, 2019 at 01:35:00 pm
This information is provided as an example of credits that have transferred in the past. It does NOT guarantee the future ...
Group holds race relations forum at El Centro College - FOX 4 News
posted on July 30, 2016 at 02:16:12 am
While one group held another police brutality protest in downtown Dallas Friday night, a different group gathered at El Centro College for a community forum to discuss race relations and think of ways to improve the city. The Dallas Festival of Ideas ...Surge ...

Did You Know?

For Texas public community colleges, the average tuition is approximately $4,026 per year for in-state students and $6,207 for out-of-state students. For private community colleges, the average yearly tuition is approximately $13,730 per year. Read more about average community college tuition costs across the country.

The average community college acceptance rate in Texas is 74%. Read more about national community college acceptance rates.

Texas community colleges have a diversity score of 0.69, which is higher than the national average of 0.65. The most diverse community college in Texas is Houston Community College. Read more about community college diversity statistics in the USA.