Ellsworth Community College

Community college in Iowa Falls, Iowa, U. S.

Ellsworth Community College is a public community college in Iowa Falls, Iowa. It was founded as Ellsworth College in 1890 by Eugene S. Ellsworth. Originally a private business academy, it later became a four year college, a music conservatory, and a public junior college before being absorbed into the Iowa Valley Community College District in 1968.

Ellsworth Community College offers three distinct degree programs. Arts and Science Degrees are two year degrees geared toward students who wish to enter the professional workforce but do not plan to earn a degree from a four year college. Some of the credits earned under this degree program can be transferred to a four year university, however. Career/Technical Degrees & Diplomas provide hands on training in a wide variety of vocational fields. The course of study lasts anywhere from nine months to two years. Associate in Arts Degrees are intended for students who plan to continue their education at a four year college. The coursework for these degrees is identical to that offered during the freshman and sophomore years at the three state universities in Iowa; any student who transfers into one of those universities having earned an associate degree will be automatically granted junior (third year) standing.

The Ellsworth athletic teams are called the Panthers. The community college is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), primarily competing in the Iowa Community College Athletic Conference (ICCAC) at the Division I and Division II levels. Ellsworth competes in seven intercollegiate varsity sports: Men's sports include baseball, basketball, football and wrestling; while women's sports include basketball, softball and volleyball.

The Panthers' mascot is named Pounce.

The Ellsworth football team has won two NJCAA national championships. The school also won an NJCAA national championship in basketball in 1971.