What East Los Angeles College is like

What it's like

ELAC is a large, predominantly part-time commuter campus serving the greater Los Angeles region. With 35,403 students as of 2018—the largest enrollment of any community college campus in California—it operates at scale with a high student-to-faculty ratio (34-to-1). The college maintains deep ties to its local communities and high schools, hosting major athletic events like the annual East L.A. Classic football game that draws over 20,000 fans. The institution balances accessibility and affordability with aspirational programming: low tuition ($1,220 in-state as of 2017–18), no application fees, and a recognized honors program that guarantees transfer priority to UC and other four-year institutions.

Academic feel

ELAC offers associate degrees and certificates across diverse fields, with popular programs in Social Sciences, Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting, and Business Management. The Honors Program, recognized by the UC system and regional colleges, provides rigorous courses for transfer-track students with a 3.0 GPA minimum. The college ranked 13th nationwide in 2016 for best two-year colleges for adult learners and achieved top ranking in California in 2019 for awarding degrees and certificates to Hispanic students. Research activity spans computer science (47 works), chemistry (20), biology (18), geography (18), quantum mechanics (16), and pedagogy (15) according to OpenAlex records. ELAC will offer California's first community college program in Central American studies.

Social life

The college is home to the Vincent Price Art Museum, which holds over 9,000 pieces valued at over $5 million and was the first teaching art collection owned by a community college in the United States. The campus served as a locus of Chicano Studies and artistic expression, with Roberto Esteban Chavez serving as an arts educator and department chair. The institution engages actively with surrounding high schools and the broader Los Angeles community through its Weingart Stadium, which hosts graduation ceremonies and the iconic East L.A. Classic football game. The student body is predominantly part-time (78% as of 2018), reflecting the working-class and commuter character of the region it serves.

What you should consider

Transfer-focused students seeking affordable pathways to four-year universities, particularly those admitted to the Honors Program, which guarantees priority consideration at 11 UC and partner institutions across California and Washington. Working adults and part-time students benefit from the flexible semester schedule and low cost. Hispanic students have found particular support: the college ranked top in California and 6th nationally for awarding degrees and certificates to Hispanic students in 2019. Students pursuing careers in law enforcement, firefighting, business, and social sciences have established program pipelines. Athletes, particularly in football and basketball, access competitive opportunities on a large campus. Students seeking a traditional residential four-year experience will not find it here; ELAC is predominantly a commuter campus with 78% part-time enrollment. The high student-faculty ratio (34-to-1) means individualized attention is limited. Students with significant support needs may struggle given the scale and part-time orientation of much of the student body.

Strengths

• Largest community college campus in California by enrollment as of 2018, with 35,403 students across fourteen communities, demonstrating scale and reach.[1]
• Vincent Price Art Museum houses over 9,000 pieces valued at over $5 million and was the first teaching art collection owned by a community college in the United States.[1]
• Honors Program is recognized by the UC system, Claremont Colleges, Occidental College, and Loyola Marymount, and guarantees priority consideration for admission at 11 four-year universities throughout California and Washington.[2]
• Ranked 13th nationwide in 2016 for Best 2-Year College for adult learners by Washington Monthly.[2]
• Achieved top ranking in California and 6th position nationwide in 2019 for awarding degrees and certificates to Hispanic students.[2]
• Exceptionally affordable with in-state tuition and fees of $1,220 (as of 2017–18) and no application fee.[2]
• Will offer California's first community college program in Central American studies.[1]

Traditions

• The annual East L.A. Classic football game between Garfield and Theodore Roosevelt High Schools traditionally draws over 20,000 fans and is hosted at ELAC's Weingart Stadium.[2]
• Weingart Stadium serves as the venue for graduation ceremonies of local high schools, including Garfield High School in East Los Angeles, embedding the college in the region's educational life.[2]