East Los Angeles College Nursing: Programs, NCLEX & Requirements (2026)
East Los Angeles College in Monterey Park: ADN. First-time NCLEX-RN was 92.2% (2024–25). Compare admissions requirements in Monterey Park.
Contents
Quick Facts
Key Takeaway
East Los Angeles College offers one of the longest-running ADN programs in California (since 1945), with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and clinical access in the Greater Los Angeles healthcare corridor. If you want an affordable, BRN-approved path to RN licensure in the LA region, ELAC deserves a close look.
Overview & Why Students Choose East Los Angeles College
East Los Angeles College (ELAC), in Monterey Park about 10 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles, is one of the largest community colleges in the nation and has been preparing nurses since 1945. Its Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN) and offers an affordable pathway to RN licensure in the Greater LA healthcare corridor.
Whether you are a first-time college student or a career-changer, ELAC’s Nursing Department provides a two-year full-time ADN curriculum with Fall and Spring enrollment, a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, and clinical experiences at area healthcare facilities.
ELAC reported a 92.2% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024–2025 and 100% for 2023–2024. For context on how this compares to state averages, consult the official California Board of Registered Nursing report.
Five reasons students choose ELAC
📈 NCLEX Performance
92.2% first-time pass rate (2024–25) and 100% (2023–24). Program has been educating nurses since 1945.
👥 Small cohorts & 10:1 ratio
30 students per semester with 20+ faculty. Personalized instruction and support.
🏥 Greater LA clinical access
Clinical rotations at healthcare facilities across the Los Angeles region, with diverse patient populations and settings.
💵 Affordable community college tuition
California community college rates apply. Lower cost pathway to RN licensure than many four-year programs.
📅 Fall & Spring entry
Two application cycles per year. Multi-criteria selection; no waitlist.
Nursing Programs Offered
East Los Angeles College offers a single nursing program: an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) that prepares graduates to sit for the NCLEX-RN and apply for RN licensure. The program is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN)
Two-year full-time curriculum with Fall and Spring enrollment. Admits 30 students per semester (60 per year). Prerequisites must be completed before application. Leads to NCLEX-RN eligibility and RN licensure in California.
ELAC does not offer BSN, MSN, or DNP programs. ADN graduates may pursue RN-to-BSN completion at a four-year institution. Confirm current program structure and any LVN or advanced-placement options on the official ELAC Nursing Department page.
NCLEX-RN Pass Rate
East Los Angeles College reported a 92.2% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024–2025 and 100% for 2023–2024. These figures are high-level snapshots; confirm the latest NCLEX statistics with the ELAC Nursing Department and the California Board of Registered Nursing before relying on them.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate (2024–2025) | 92.2% |
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate (2023–2024) | 100% |
| Job Placement Rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Source | ELAC Nursing Department; confirm with California BRN |
An official state average benchmark from the same California BRN report was not provided in the sources reviewed for this guide. For the most current NCLEX data and state comparisons, consult the California Board of Registered Nursing and the ELAC Nursing Department.
International Students & Internationally Educated Nurses
East Los Angeles College admits international students, and California licenses internationally educated nurses; the exact steps, documents, and test scores vary by country, visa category, and whether you are seeking a student visa or RN licensure. Use the points below as a checklist to guide your conversations with ELAC and the California Board of Registered Nursing—never as a replacement for their official instructions.
- English-language proficiency: Whether ELAC requires TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or another exam for non-native English speakers, and minimum scores for the ADN program.
- Transcript / credential evaluation: Whether foreign secondary or nursing education must be evaluated by WES, CGFNS, or another service and how ELAC wants those reports submitted.
- California Board of Registered Nursing requirements: For internationally educated nurses pursuing RN licensure (with or without a U.S. degree), confirm NCLEX eligibility, CGFNS or other reports, and document translation requirements with the California BRN.
- Immigration & visa support: Whether the ADN program is approved for F‑1 or other visa types, what financial documentation is required, and how clinical placements fit within your immigration status. Contact ELAC’s International Student Office.
Policies for international students and foreign‑educated nurses change frequently. Before you rely on any single blog, video, or forum post, verify everything with ELAC’s admissions or international office and the California Board of Registered Nursing.
Admissions: A Realistic Look
East Los Angeles College’s ADN program is selective and uses multi-criteria scoring; there is no waitlist. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance. The Nursing Department has a separate application process and specific deadlines.
- Minimum 2.5 GPA in science courses and overall
- All prerequisites completed (no in-progress courses at time of application)
- ATI TEAS 7 with all four subcategories scoring ≥62%
- Multi-criteria selection; no waitlist
- Confirm current requirements (e.g., interview, essays) on the official ELAC Nursing application page
Application timeline
| Entry Term | Application Period | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | Typically Feb–Mar (e.g., Feb 9 – Mar 9 for Fall 2026) | Confirm exact dates each year on ELAC Nursing site |
| Spring | Typically Sep–Oct (e.g., Sep 9 – Oct 4 for Spring 2026) | Confirm exact dates each year on ELAC Nursing site |
Admissions competitiveness snapshot
| Factor | Details |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate (Nursing) | Not publicly disclosed |
| Minimum GPA | 2.5 (science and overall) |
| TEAS Required | Yes (ATI TEAS 7; all four subcategories ≥62%) |
| Cohort Size | 30 per semester (60 per year) |
| Clinical Experience Preferred | Not publicly disclosed |
Complete all prerequisites with strong grades before applying; the program does not allow in-progress courses at application. Prepare thoroughly for the ATI TEAS 7—all four subcategories must be at least 62%. Attend an ELAC Nursing information session to understand multi-criteria scoring and deadlines.
Advice by applicant type
🎓 First-time / transfer applicant
Finish prerequisite courses with a 2.5+ GPA in sciences and overall. Take the ATI TEAS 7 early and aim for ≥62% in each subcategory. Check the ELAC Nursing application page for the exact window (e.g., Feb–Mar for fall; Sep–Oct for spring).
🔄 Career-change applicant
ELAC offers an ADN only (no accelerated BSN). Complete the same prerequisites and TEAS requirement. Highlight any healthcare or community service in your application if the program requests it. After earning your ADN and RN license, you can pursue RN-to-BSN at a four-year school.
🩺 LVN or other advanced placement
Confirm with the ELAC Nursing Department whether an LVN-to-RN or other advanced-placement option exists and what the requirements and deadlines are. Not all community colleges publish this clearly; contact nursingadmission@elac.edu or call (323) 265-8896.
Tuition & Cost of Attendance
East Los Angeles College is a California community college; tuition and fees follow the state’s community college rate structure. Per-unit and total costs depend on residency and the number of units taken.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Tuition (In-State / California resident) | California community college per-unit rate; consult ELAC for current amount |
| Tuition (Out-of-State) | Not publicly disclosed in the provided inputs/sources |
| Fees (health, student representation, etc.) | Not publicly disclosed in the provided inputs/sources |
| Housing | ELAC does not offer on-campus housing; living costs are not provided by the college |
| Financial Aid | Complete the FAFSA; California residents may qualify for Cal Grant, Board of Governors Fee Waiver, and other aid. NURSE Corps Scholarship Program may be available to qualifying nursing students. |
We did not have the current per-unit tuition or fee schedule for ELAC at the time of this guide. For the most accurate tuition, fees, and cost of attendance, visit the official ELAC Financial Aid and college catalog or business office pages.
Complete the FAFSA and check ELAC’s financial aid office for grants, scholarships, and work-study. The NURSE Corps Scholarship Program and other nursing-specific aid may be available to qualifying students.
Student Outcomes & Career Prospects
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate (2024–2025) | 92.2% |
| NCLEX-RN First-Time Pass Rate (2023–2024) | 100% |
| Job Placement Rate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Alumni Employers | Not available in the provided inputs/sources |
For information about job placement and employers hiring ELAC nursing graduates, see the ELAC Nursing Department and the college’s career services or outcomes pages.
Is East Los Angeles College the Right Fit for You?
Choosing a nursing school depends on your budget, learning style, career goals, and life circumstances. Here’s an honest look at who tends to thrive at ELAC and who might be better served elsewhere.
✅ Good fit for students who…
- Want an affordable, California BRN-approved ADN pathway in the Greater LA area
- Prefer a smaller cohort (30 per semester) and 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- Are able to complete prerequisites and TEAS 7 (all subcategories ≥62%) before applying
- Plan to work as an RN after graduation and may pursue RN-to-BSN later
- Prefer Fall or Spring entry and can meet the application windows (e.g., Feb–Mar / Sep–Oct)
⚠️ May not be ideal for students who…
- Are looking for a BSN, MSN, or DNP (ELAC offers ADN only)
- Want an accelerated BSN (ABSN) or fully online pre-licensure program
- Need on-campus housing (ELAC does not offer student housing)
- Cannot meet the TEAS 7 requirement or prefer a program without a standardized entrance exam
Local Healthcare Ecosystem
The Greater Los Angeles area is one of the largest healthcare markets in the United States. East Los Angeles College is in Monterey Park, about 10 miles east of Downtown LA, with access to major hospital systems, county facilities, and community health settings across the region.
| Context | Details |
|---|---|
| Major systems | Kaiser Permanente, Dignity Health, Providence, UCLA Health, Keck Medicine of USC, and Los Angeles County Department of Health Services (e.g., LAC+USC) operate throughout the region. |
| Clinical demand | Southern California has strong demand for RNs in acute care, ambulatory, and community settings. Clinical placement sites for ELAC students are not fully listed in the provided inputs; confirm with the Nursing Department. |
ELAC nursing students benefit from being in a major healthcare corridor with diverse patient populations and a wide variety of clinical settings. California’s demand for registered nurses remains strong; confirm current placement sites and employment outcomes with the ELAC Nursing Department.
Student Experience & Campus Life
East Los Angeles College’s Nursing Department has more than 20 faculty members and a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, with cohorts of 30 students per semester. The campus is in Monterey Park, about 10 miles east of Downtown Los Angeles, with access to public transit and the greater LA area.
Simulation and skills labs, student organizations, and support services are typical for community college nursing programs; confirm current facilities and nursing clubs on the ELAC Nursing Department and campus life pages. ELAC does not offer on-campus housing.
As one of the largest community colleges in the nation, ELAC serves a diverse student body and offers a wide range of academic and student support resources.
Resources & Next Steps
Contact & location
- Campus location
- Monterey Park, CA
- Address
- 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park, CA 91754, US
- Telephone
- (323) 265-8896 (Nursing)
- Contact email
- nursingadmission@elac.edu
- Website
- www.elac.edu
Official links
Your “Next 7 Days” checklist
- Visit the official ELAC Nursing Department website and download the current program brochure and application info.
- Review the prerequisite course list and compare it to your transcripts; ensure no courses are in-progress at application.
- If required, register for the ATI TEAS 7 and aim for ≥62% in all four subcategories. Confirm on the official ELAC Nursing application page.
- Draft a list of questions for the ELAC Nursing Department or attend an information session.
- Reach out to current ELAC nursing students or alumni on LinkedIn to ask about clinical experiences and satisfaction.
- Note the application window for your target term (e.g., Feb–Mar for fall; Sep–Oct for spring) and set reminders.
- Check the California BRN for licensure requirements and NCLEX information.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is East Los Angeles College a good school for nursing?
East Los Angeles College’s ADN program has been educating nurses since 1945 and is California BRN-approved. The program reported a 92.2% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024-2025, with a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio and clinical experiences in the Greater Los Angeles area.
What GPA do you need for East Los Angeles College nursing?
Applicants need a minimum 2.5 GPA in science courses and overall. Prerequisites must be completed with no in-progress courses at the time of application. Confirm current requirements with the ELAC Nursing Department.
Does East Los Angeles College require the TEAS exam for nursing?
Yes. ELAC requires the ATI TEAS 7 exam with all four subcategories scoring at least 62%. Scores are used in the multi-criteria selection process. Confirm current requirements on the official ELAC Nursing application page.
How competitive is admission to East Los Angeles College nursing program?
The program admits 30 students per semester (60 per year). Selection is based on multi-criteria scoring; there is no waitlist. Acceptance rate is not publicly disclosed. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance.
Does East Los Angeles College offer an accelerated BSN?
No. ELAC offers an Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) only. The program is a two-year full-time curriculum with Fall and Spring enrollment. Graduates may pursue RN-to-BSN at a four-year institution.
What are the clinical placement sites for East Los Angeles College nursing students?
Clinical placement sites are not fully listed in the provided inputs. Students complete rotations at healthcare facilities in the Greater Los Angeles area. Confirm current sites with the ELAC Nursing Department.
What is the NCLEX pass rate for East Los Angeles College?
ELAC reported a 92.2% first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate for 2024-2025. The program also reported 100% for 2023-2024. For state comparisons, consult the California Board of Registered Nursing.
References
- ELAC Nursing Department — program and application informationelac.edu (Nursing)
- ELAC Nursing Application procedureelac.edu (Application)
- ELAC Financial Aidelac.edu (Financial Aid)
- California Board of Registered Nursing — licensure and NCLEXrn.ca.gov
- All data marked “Not publicly disclosed” or “Not available in the provided inputs/sources” is based on the unavailability of this information in the official sources reviewed for this guide.
Editorial Standards & Review
About the author: Sid Balal, RGN, writes evidence-based nursing education guides for NurseOnShift.
Review: This page was reviewed by Araceli Collado, RN, for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with publicly available institutional and government data.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is for general reference and informational purposes only. It does not constitute professional, admissions, or financial advice and does not guarantee admission, eligibility, or any particular outcome. Requirements, deadlines, tuition, and policies change; always verify with the institution and relevant boards before making decisions.
Published: Mar 16, 2026 · Last reviewed: Mar 16, 2026 · Medical Review Process · Editorial Policy