East Los Angeles College
Monterey Park, United States • Founded 1945
Updated Oct 2026 · Source: elac.edu
Overview
East Los Angeles College is a public community college in Monterey Park, California, that opened in September 1945 in a single building borrowed from a high school campus.
Over the following decades it grew into what the college describes as the largest community college in California, serving students from the 14 communities that make up its primary service area as well as learners from further afield. The curriculum has two main strands.
Academic transfer courses prepare students for admission to four-year colleges and universities, while occupational programs lead to careers in two years or less. Instruction is organized through academic departments that include Nursing, Respiratory Therapy, Engineering and Technologies, Mathematics, Life Sciences, Architecture, Business Administration, Journalism, Theater Arts and Kinesiology, among many others.
Programs are grouped into pathways, and the college publishes a yearly catalog listing the degree and certificate options.
The campus includes a 22,000-seat football stadium, several theaters including the Ingalls Auditorium, and the Vincent Price Art Museum. Classes are also offered at off-campus locations across the area.
The college is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, and it is part of the Los Angeles Community College District.
Location & Contact
Find East Los Angeles College on the map and its contact channels below.
Academic Details
The numbers behind East Los Angeles College: student body, academic staff, and recognising bodies.
Academic Structures
East Los Angeles College's faculties, schools, institutes, and constituent units are listed below.
Unit 23 items
- Administration of Justice
- Allied Health
- Anthropology, Geology and Geography
- Architecture
- Art
- Automotive Technology
- Chicana/o Studies
- Child, Family, & Education Studies
- Computer Applications and Office Technology
- Dance
- Engineering and Technologies
- English
- Journalism
- Kinesiology
- Library Science
- Life Sciences
- Mathematics
- Media Arts and Technologies
- Modern Languages
- Noncredit
- Respiratory Therapy
- Social Sciences
- Theater Arts
Programs Offered
All active programmes at East Los Angeles College are listed by degree level.
107 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in United States
Associate's Degree 57 programmes
Showing 10 of 57.
Certificate 50 programmes
Showing 10 of 50.
How to apply to East Los Angeles College
A short guide to applying to East Los Angeles College — five steps.
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1
Identify the right programme
Use the programme finder to browse East Los Angeles College's 107 active programmes. Filter by keyword or scan by degree level. Read curriculum details on each programme's dedicated page if available.
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2
Check entry requirements
Programme-level requirements at East Los Angeles College typically include academic transcripts, language proficiency proof, identity documents, and a personal statement or interview. Confirm specific requirements with the admissions office.
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3
Prepare your application documents
Prepare academic transcripts, ID/passport copies, language proficiency proof, a personal statement, and reference letters. International candidates may need apostilled or notarised translations — start early to avoid deadline pressure.
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4
Submit via the institution
East Los Angeles College processes applications through www.elac.edu. Create an account, fill out the application form, and submit your documents. Note application deadlines, which vary by intake and programme.
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5
Get in touch with admissions
Confirm receipt of your application with the admissions office and keep an eye on your portal for status changes. Quick responses to any follow-up requests keep your application moving smoothly through the review process.
Frequently Asked Questions about East Los Angeles College
Quick answers to common questions about East Los Angeles College.
In what year was East Los Angeles College established?
East Los Angeles College was founded in 1945 (approximately 81 years ago).
What city is East Los Angeles College in?
East Los Angeles College operates from Monterey Park, United States.
Is East Los Angeles College a public or private institution?
It is a public higher-education institution.
How big is East Los Angeles College's student body?
East Los Angeles College serves approximately 27,753 students.
How many faculties does East Los Angeles College have?
East Los Angeles College has 23 academic units.
What is East Los Angeles College's official website?
East Los Angeles College's official website is www.elac.edu.
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Faculties at nearby universities
Also in Monterey Park: universities located close to East Los Angeles College.
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