| Location: | Southwest |
| Setting: | Small Town Setting |
| Type: | Public |
| Size: | Medium (2,000 to 5,000 Undergrad) |
Eastern Arizona College (EAC), is an Arizona community college located in Graham County, Arizona. The main campus is in Thatcher, with satellite locations in Gila County, and Greenlee County. It is the oldest community college in Arizona and the only community college in Arizona with a marching band.
Eastern Arizona College was chartered by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in 1888. Classes started in a church room in Central, Arizona in 1890, with 17 students and was called the St. Joseph Stake Academy. In 1891, classes were moved to Thatcher, Arizona due to being more centralized and needing more room. The school continued to expand, though it was strapped financially. In 1908, a new 21-room building was opened that would eventually be called Old Main.
In 1932, the Church stated they could no longer afford to support the college financially and would close it unless the local valley could support it. In 1933, an election was held and the valley passed an initiative funding the school. Ownership of the school passed to the state of Arizona in 1933. There is no religious affiliation today. In 1962, it became the newest member of the Arizona's Junior College System. The 1960s was a time of growth and the college purchased nearby farmland to extend their campus.
In 1972 a fine arts center was completed. In 1979, two fires within one week destroyed Old Main. The building was razed and a new administration building was constructed on the site. During the 1987-1988 school year, Eastern Arizona College celebrated its centennial.
Eastern Arizona College has changed names nine times, growing from a one-room school house to becoming a large community college serving three counties and hosting a satellite campus for a university.
EAC is a state sponsored community college and comes under the guidance and control of the State of Arizona.
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Top States for Incoming Freshman
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| Percent of Students International: | 0% |
| Tuition & Fees (undergraduate) | In-State | Out-of-State | |
Average Tuition for Full-Time Undergrads: |
$ 1,128 | $ 6,128 | |
| Financial Aid | Avg. Amount Received | % of Students Receiving Aid | |
Federal Grants: |
$ 2,463 | 47% | |
Institutional Grants: |
$ 2,031 | 71% | |
Any Aid: |
80% |
