East Central College
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Why East Central College Matters
East Central College is a public community college in Union, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 1,639
- Setting
- Town
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Precision Production, Mechanic & Repair Tech
Why students choose East Central College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $13,128 a year after grants and scholarships — 23% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $36,916 ten years after enrolling — 10% below the typical college, against $9,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.2% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 67% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.42 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 1,640 students, East Central College in Union, MO, caters to a diverse group looking for practical education in fields like Humanities, Health Professions, and Mechanic & Repair Tech. The focus here is on hands-on training and immediate career paths, making it a good fit for those eager to enter the workforce with relevant skills. This school emphasizes real-world applications, preparing students for various roles in education, healthcare, and technical fields.
Graduates from East Central College see an average earning of about $36,916 within ten years of completing their studies. That’s a solid figure for many first-time job seekers, especially considering the pathways available in high-demand sectors. The affordability factor plays a big role too; with a net price after aid of about $13,128, many students can manage their education costs without accumulating overwhelming debt.
On average, graduates leave with a median debt of around $9,500, which is quite manageable given the earning potential. The school attracts those who thrive in practical, community-focused environments, often including non-traditional students or those seeking a second chance at education. With a Pell Grant rate of 33%, there’s also support for students from lower-income backgrounds, making it accessible for many who are looking to improve their economic situation.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective East Central College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into East Central College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Union, Missouri, East Central College enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 43%.
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend East Central College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
When weighing the true cost of attending East Central College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $7,680 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $13,128 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,281 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $9,500.
What Families Actually Pay
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is East Central College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of East Central College report median earnings of $36,916; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
How East Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is East Central College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, East Central College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $13,128/year ($52,512 total). Graduates earn $36,916 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $839,284 in total earnings — a net gain of $786,772 (16.0× your investment). The median debt is $9,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 43% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does East Central College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
East Central College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility: its mobility rate — the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top — is 1.17%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here: roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a genuine foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,000, a useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
Top Programs
The fields East Central College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for East Central College's most popular programs, with median pay and projected growth.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into East Central College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements +
Based in Union, Missouri, East Central College enrolls students across a range of programs. The school reports a graduation rate of roughly 43%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend East Central College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid +
When weighing the true cost of attending East Central College, prospective students should look past the published sticker price of $7,680 in tuition. The figure that matters more is the average net price — the actual out-of-pocket cost after federal grants, institutional scholarships, and student loans — which works out to about $13,128 for families who qualify for aid. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $12,281 after need-based grants. Graduates leave with a median federal student-loan debt of about $9,500.
Is East Central College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI +
Ten years out, alumni of East Central College report median earnings of $36,916; prospective students should weigh that figure against the program's cost when calculating return on investment.
Does East Central College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes +
East Central College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility: its mobility rate — the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top — is 1.17%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here: roughly 10.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a genuine foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 11.4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $68,000, a useful read on the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is East Central College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks +
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at East Central College, with an economic connectedness score of 1.42 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to East Central College.
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is East Central College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital — the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility — runs high at East Central College, with an economic connectedness score of 1.42 (about 1.0 is the national norm). Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds genuinely mix rather than self-segregate. Around 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note