About Essex County College

1968-69 Catalog

ECC was established in 1966 as the public, two-year community college of Essex County and 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.

Main Campus Construction Site 1973
  • More than 25,000 people enroll each year in ECC’s various degree and non-credit programs, including students from over 70 foreign countries.
  • The curriculum features close to 70 majors and 564 courses a part of a wide range of transfer and career programs.
  • ECC is adjacent to Rutgers University-Newark and the New Jersey Institute of Technology.
  • ECC sends more transfer students to Rutgers-Newark, New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT), and Bloomfield College than any other two-year college in New Jersey.
  • Tuition and fees for an ECC student are significantly lower than at 4-year colleges and universities in New Jersey.
Strategic Plan 24-29

The College periodically assesses its recent history and current status to develop its future direction, resulting in a Strategic Plan to guide our efforts for the next five years. The major Strategic Goals are listed below:

GOAL I

Increase student enrollment through innovative educational programs, targeted marketing and enhanced onboarding practices built on a foundation of effective communication.  

GOAL II

Increase student retention and graduation through the implementation of customized academic pathways and holistic support services.

GOAL III

Foster and promote an institutional climate of belongingness that exemplifies teamwork, embraces learning and innovation, and is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

GOAL IV

Strengthen and expand external and community partnerships to further develop student opportunities, better serve our community, and expand the College’s network of support.

GOAL V

Continue to fortify the College’ financial stability to foster operational sustainability, and program expansion.

GOAL VI

Continue to align the College's physical and technological infrastructure to best support student success, employee productivity, and foster creativity/innovations.