- Essex County College, an open access community college, serves the dynamic needs of diverse constituencies through comprehensive educational programs and services.
School Highlights
Essex County College serves 9,206 students (39% of students are full-time).
The college's student:teacher ratio of 17:1 is lower than the state community college average of 19:1.
Minority enrollment is 94% of the student body (majority Black), which is more than the state average of 65%.
Quick Stats (2025)
- Enrollment: 9,206 students
- In-state tuition: $6,156
- Out-state tuition: $6,156
- Student:teacher ratio: 17:1
- Minority enrollment: 94%
- Source: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
Top Rankings
Essex County College ranks among the top 20% of public schools in New Jersey for:
Category
Attribute
Community Size
School Overview
The teacher population of 552 teachers has stayed relatively flat over five years.
Essex County College
(NJ) Community College Avg.
Carnegie Classification
Associate's Colleges: Mixed Transfer/Career & Technical-High Traditional
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
Private not-for-profit
Total Faculty
552 staff
445 staff
School Calendar
Student Body
The student population of Essex County College has grown by 23% over five years.
The student:teacher ratio of 17:1 has increased from 12:1 over five years.
The Essex County College diversity score of 0.67 is less than the state average of 0.77. The school's diversity has declined by 5% over five years.
Total Enrollment
9,206 students
2,085 students
Student : Teacher Ratio
17:1
19:1
# Full-Time Students
3,580 students
766 students
# Part-Time Students
5,626 students
1,319 students
# Enrollment Undergraduate
920 students
334 students
# Full-Time Undergraduate Students
3,580 students
766 students
# Full-Time Graduate Students
n/a
50 students
# Part-Time Undergraduate Students
5,626 students
1,213 students
# Part-Time Graduate Students
n/a
6 students
Total Dormitory Capacity
24 students
20 students
% American Indian/Alaskan
n/a
n/a
% Asian
3%
8%
% Hispanic
28%
26%
% Black
47%
15%
% White
6%
35%
% Hawaiian
n/a
1%
% Two or more races
1%
3%
% Non Resident races
10%
2%
% Unknown races
5%
10%
Diversity Score
0.67
0.77
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in less than 4 years)
17%
40%
College Completion Rate (Students who graduate in 4 years or more than 4 years)
n/a
44%
Average Graduate Earnings (10 Years)
$34,400
$36,100
Tuition and Acceptance Rate
The public in-state tuition of $6,156 is more than the state average of $5,470. The in-state tuition has declined by 29% over four years.
The public out-state tuition of $6,156 is less than the state average of $7,575. The out-state tuition has declined by 29% over four years.
In-State Tuition Fees
$6,156
$5,470
Out-State Tuition Fees
$6,156
$7,575
Tuition Notes
$139.66 per credit for Essex County residents, escalating to $279.34 for out-of-county residents
% Students Receiving Some Financial Aid
90%
86%
Median Debt for Graduates
n/a
$11,000
Median Debt for Dropouts
n/a
$5,500
Acceptance Rate
n/a
76%
Source: 2024 (or latest year available) Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)
School Notes
- ECC was established in 1966 as the public, two-year, open access community college of Essex County, admitted its first students in temporary quarters in downtown Newark in 1968, and moved to its current permanent site in the heart of the University Heights district of the city in 1976. Newark is New Jersey s largest city, 10 miles west of New York City. Approximately 25,000 people enroll each year in ECC s various degree and non-degree programs, including students from more than 40 foreign countries. The curriculum features close to 70 majors and 564 courses as part of a wide range of transfer and career programs. The 22-acre main campus in Newark features a multilevel megastructure covering three city blocks, a two-level multipurpose Physical Education Building/ Child Development Center complex, the Center for Technology, and the Clara E. Dasher Student Center. Among the resources of the 502,000 square foot megastructure are state-of-the-art laboratories, high tech classrooms with advanced teaching modalities, the Mary B. Burch Theater for the Performing Arts, and a newly renovated library equipped with online public access catalog stations, a computer lab offering instruction in information literacy, and extensive resource materials. At ECC, students can earn Associate in Arts ( A. A. ) and Associate in Science ( A. S. ) degrees for transfer to four-year colleges, or they can pursue Associate in Applied Science ( A. A. S. ) degrees and certificates to prepare for immediate employment. Some A. A. S. programs also transfer; academic advisors can provide additional information on the transfer process. Transfer/ articulation agreements exist with many institutions. Community and continuing education programs include intensive basic skills training, multilingual outreach programs, customized corporate training programs, career advancement and personal enrichment courses, youth programs, seminars, workshops, and public forums on diverse topics of interest to local residents. Essex County College is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Essex County College cost?
Essex County College's tuition is approximately $6,156 for In-State students and $6,156 for Out-State students.
What is Essex County College's ranking?
Essex County College ranks among the top 20% of community college in New Jersey for: Largest student body.
In what neighborhood is Essex County College located?
Essex County College is located in the University Heights neighborhood of Newark, NJ.
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