Maskay guide

Dallas College: admission, tuition, English classes and campuses

How to apply, estimate tuition, seek scholarships and choose among Dallas College’s seven campuses and other centers.

Maskay editorial team Updated

Dallas College began as a public commitment to make higher education reachable across Dallas County. Voters created the county junior college district in 1965, and El Centro welcomed its first students downtown the next year. For decades, seven separately accredited colleges grew in different communities. In 2020 they became one institution, now known as Dallas College, so a student can take courses across its campuses under a shared college record. The system still has seven main campuses, plus workforce, health-science and community centers around the county.

Who can apply, and what happens next?

Dallas College follows an open-door admissions policy: applicants do not need a high-school diploma or GED simply to apply. Start with the college’s application, then watch for the student ID and follow the personalized steps in the welcome message. Credit-seeking students may need to submit official transcripts, document Texas residency, complete orientation and advising, and meet Texas Success Initiative placement requirements. Applicants under 22 must also submit the required meningitis documentation. Admission to the college is different from admission to a selective program; nursing and other health pathways can require prerequisites, a separate application or additional checks. Begin with the current application and document checklist, then use a college coach or success coach to build a first-term plan.

Tuition, aid and scholarships

The published credit rate is $99 per semester credit hour for Dallas County residents, $169 for out-of-county Texas residents and $250 for out-of-state or out-of-country students. At a 12-credit load, the county rate is $1,188 before any course-specific charges; the college’s own example puts a three-credit class at $297. Continuing-education and workforce courses use separate prices. Dallas College says most required learning materials are included through IncludED, although a student can opt out during the published window and some course materials or fees may vary. Check the tuition calculator and current cost schedule before choosing a course load.

Financial aid can include federal grants, state assistance, work-study, payment plans and scholarships. The Dallas College Foundation lists more than 300 scholarship opportunities. Students first complete the general application, which automatically matches eligible applicants to some awards; other scholarships require a separate response. Dallas College Promise may cover tuition for up to three years or until completion of an associate degree for students who meet its program rules. FAFSA priority dates for fall, spring and summer are May 1, Oct. 1 and March 1, while Promise has its own July 1 FAFSA date. These dates are not interchangeable with individual scholarship deadlines. Review financial-aid and scholarship options and confirm which application fits your circumstances.

Starting college with limited English

The college distinguishes noncredit ESL from credit-bearing ESOL. WorkReadyU’s adult ESL and career-English classes are designed for practical language and workplace skills; eligibility for its grant-funded classes includes a valid photo ID, Dallas County residency and no U.S. bachelor’s or advanced degree, with additional review during enrollment. The program also offers high-school-equivalency preparation and job training. Continuing Education ESL has six levels. ESOL offers four credit-bearing levels in listening and speaking, reading, writing and grammar; students apply, take a placement assessment and meet a success coach. Ask which pathway connects to the certificate or degree you want, because noncredit ESL courses do not count toward college credits. Compare ESL, WorkReadyU and ESOL before registering.

Programs, credits and time to finish

Many Dallas College associate pathways are designed around 60 semester credits and about two years for a full-time student, but the timeline changes by program: selective admission, prerequisites, clinical placement, lab sequences and part-time study can extend it. Brookhaven, for example, describes its associate nursing route as 16 consecutive months including summers. Certificates can require fewer credits, and workforce classes may be noncredit. Use the guided program maps and catalog to check the current course order, total credits and estimated time for the credential you want rather than relying on a general two-year label.

Seven campuses, different strengths

Each main campus has its own academic character. Brookhaven in Farmers Branch combines nursing, geographic information systems, automotive training and early-childhood study with a performance hall and a two-mile trail. Cedar Valley in Lancaster has veterinary technology, automotive and diesel work, commercial music studios, HVAC, law enforcement, manufacturing and supply-chain pathways. Eastfield in Mesquite emphasizes automotive technology, digital media, mechatronics and social-work training; its campus page also highlights a natatorium and TRIO support.

Downtown El Centro is the oldest campus and a practical base for culinary and hospitality study, nursing, dental hygiene, imaging, fashion and design. Mountain View, in Oak Cliff, offers nursing, welding, occupational therapy and mechatronics, as well as a bilingual-educator center and senior-adult services. North Lake in Irving pairs video technology, auto and auto-body training, logistics and mortgage banking; its DART light-rail station and student pass can help with the commute. Richland in North Dallas focuses on advanced manufacturing, pre-health sciences, accounting and finance, electronics and software development. Campus pages describe further labs, tutoring, food pantries, libraries, athletics and student resources.

Dallas College’s location map also lists additional centers for workforce training, aviation, health sciences, design and community programs. They are not interchangeable with the seven main campuses: a center may host only selected classes or services. The campus profiles below give an address, phone and direct map route for each main site. DART serves several campuses by bus, rail or GoLink zones; the college’s transit map identifies current connections. Before travelling, check the class schedule and the campus or center page for the exact building, parking directions and service hours.

Bottom line

Check current details and choose according to your budget, time and way of travelling.

Editorial selection

Options to compare

These options relate to the question. Read each profile and check current details before deciding.

01
Public community college campus

Dallas College — Brookhaven Campus

3939 Valley View Lane, Farmers Branch, TX 75244

Brookhaven sits in Farmers Branch, just beyond Dallas’s northern neighborhoods, on a 192-acre campus with 18 buildings. Its scale is unusual for a commuter college in the metro area: landscaped courtyards, a windmill garden, three art galleries and a two-mile walking trail give the site a campus fee

Why it made the selection

A north Dallas County campus for nursing, GIS, automotive technology and early-childhood education, with a performance hall and two-mile trail.

Verified: October 27, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
02
Public community college campus

Dallas College — Cedar Valley Campus

3030 N. Dallas Avenue, Lancaster, TX 75134

Cedar Valley occupies more than 300 acres in Lancaster, south of Dallas. The setting feels open and spread out, with a lake, athletic fields and separate academic buildings; students should check the campus map before a first visit because program spaces are distributed across the site. The map labe

Why it made the selection

A broad south Dallas County campus for veterinary technology, automotive and diesel, music production, HVAC, law enforcement and logistics.

Verified: October 27, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
03
Public community college campus

Dallas College — Eastfield Campus

3737 Motley Drive, Mesquite, TX 75150

Eastfield sits near the meeting of I-30 and I-635 in Mesquite, making it a natural option for students on the east side of Dallas County. The campus page highlights the Hive, Gallery 219 and the Automotive Technology lab; its printable map identifies parking, student services, classrooms and accessi

Why it made the selection

An east county campus known for automotive training, digital media, advanced manufacturing and mechatronics, with TRIO and child-care services.

Verified: October 27, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
04
Public community college campus

Dallas College — El Centro Campus

801 Main Street, Dallas, TX 75202

El Centro is Dallas College’s original campus, opened in 1966 in the city center. Its address at 801 Main Street places classes close to downtown offices, arts venues and public transportation. The college says eight DART rail or bus stops are within a block; it also advertises a student pass for fr

Why it made the selection

A downtown campus with nursing, culinary and hospitality, dental hygiene, medical imaging, fashion and design programs near DART service.

Verified: October 27, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
05
Public community college campus

Dallas College — Mountain View Campus

4849 W. Illinois Avenue, Dallas, TX 75211

Mountain View opened in 1970 in Oak Cliff, southwest of downtown Dallas. The campus sits between the city’s established neighborhoods and the Mountain Creek area, with a layout of academic buildings, labs and outdoor spaces. Dallas College’s transit page lists Route 104, circulator Routes 221 and 22

Why it made the selection

An Oak Cliff campus for nursing, welding, occupational therapy and mechatronics, with bilingual teacher education and senior-adult services.

Verified: October 27, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
06
Public community college campus

Dallas College — North Lake Campus

5001 N. MacArthur Boulevard, Irving, TX 75038

North Lake is in Irving, northwest of Dallas, on a campus that pairs academic buildings and athletic facilities with a DART light-rail station. Dallas College’s student pass provides free DART travel under the published program terms, and Routes 229 and 231 connect the site with Irving, Carrollton a

Why it made the selection

An Irving campus with a DART light-rail station, video and automotive technology, logistics and a 60,000-square-foot construction trades facility.

Verified: October 27, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
07
Public community college campus

Dallas College — Richland Campus

12800 Abrams Road, Dallas, TX 75243

Richland occupies a green campus in north Dallas, east of US 75 and near I-635. The site combines classrooms and labs with athletic areas, an arts gallery and outdoor gathering spaces. Its campus map identifies parking, student services and major buildings; DART Routes 17 and 200 connect Richland wi

Why it made the selection

A north Dallas campus for advanced manufacturing, pre-health sciences, finance, electronics and software development, with honors and STEM resources.

Verified: October 27, 2026
View Maskay profile → Official website ↗
Verification

Sources & references

Sources for the information and reporting discussed in this guide.

  1. Official website of Dallas College — Brookhaven Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  2. Official website of Dallas College — Brookhaven Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  3. Official website of Dallas College — Brookhaven Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  4. Official website of Dallas College — Brookhaven Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  5. Official website of Dallas College — Cedar Valley Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  6. Official website of Dallas College — Cedar Valley Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  7. Official website of Dallas College — Cedar Valley Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  8. Official website of Dallas College — Cedar Valley Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  9. Official website of Dallas College — Eastfield Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  10. Official website of Dallas College — Eastfield Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  11. Official website of Dallas College — Eastfield Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  12. Official website of Dallas College — Eastfield Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  13. Official website of Dallas College — El Centro Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  14. Official website of Dallas College — El Centro Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  15. Official website of Dallas College — El Centro Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  16. Official website of Dallas College — El Centro Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  17. Official website of Dallas College — El Centro Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  18. Official website of Dallas College — Mountain View Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  19. Official website of Dallas College — Mountain View Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  20. Official website of Dallas College — Mountain View Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  21. Official website of Dallas College — Mountain View Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  22. Official website of Dallas College — North Lake Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  23. Official website of Dallas College — North Lake Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  24. Official website of Dallas College — North Lake Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  25. Official website of Dallas College — North Lake Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  26. Official website of Dallas College — Richland Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  27. Official website of Dallas College — Richland Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  28. Official website of Dallas College — Richland Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  29. Official website of Dallas College — Richland Campus ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  30. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  31. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  32. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  33. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  34. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  35. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  36. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  37. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  38. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  39. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  40. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  41. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  42. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  43. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  44. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  45. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  46. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  47. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  48. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  49. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  50. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  51. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  52. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  53. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  54. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas Area Rapid Transit · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

  55. Official website ↗ Primary source Dallas College · Accessed October 27, 2026

    Primary source for identity, concept, menu, and contact details.

Keep exploring

Related questions