Elgin Community College, with a budget of $94 million, serves approximately 12,500 students annually. Students praise the welcoming and caring staff at ECC, which offers a wide range of programs including seven associate degrees for transfer, over 30 transfer majors, pre-collegiate courses, corporate and continuing education, and 90 career-oriented occupational programs. Last year, more than 2,200 degrees and certificates were awarded by ECC, which has 144 full-time faculty and 155 part-time faculty members. Located halfway between Chicago and Rockford, Elgin offers residents the convenience of a smaller community with close proximity to the bustling city of Chicago. The city serves as a hub for shopping, dining, and entertainment, with a variety of cultural offerings such as concerts, theater productions, and the renowned Elgin Symphony Orchestra. Residents of Elgin enjoy a four-season climate with year-round family activities and festivals, making it a vibrant and diverse community. Elgin has been recognized as the 27th most diverse city in the nation, as well as the safest and most affordable city, providing a high quality of life for its residents.