AU vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

American University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

AU vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, AU or Elms College? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Our Lady of the Elms than AU ($19,870 vs. $39,676).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 13.2% lower than at American University ($15,605 vs. $17,982).
• American University is 35.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $15,446 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 35.7% higher at AU than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $15,446 more per year; $58,771.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at American University (100% vs. 67%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 7.6% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($36,349 vs. $33,794).

AU vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, AU or Elms College? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Elms College and AU.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at American University (1370) is 130 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 1280/1460; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: American University 29/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: AU - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman AU students have a 0.28 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than AU (62%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

AU vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for AU and Elms College? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• American University's six-year graduation rate (77%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from American University earn a median of about $18,500 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($64,800 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, American University graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($24,250 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, AU graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($250 vs. $258).
• More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (80% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.