Aurora University vs. Elmhurst University

Deciding between Aurora University and Elmhurst University? The table below shows tuition, aid, admissions, and outcomes side by side. Data comes from public sources across more than 3,000 U.S. colleges and universities. No account is required.

Aurora University
Elmhurst University

Frequently compared to these colleges. Click a college to add to the comparison. 

  • Overview

  • Location
  • Aurora University Aurora, IL
  • Elmhurst University Elmhurst, IL
  • Setting
  • Aurora University Large Suburban
  • Elmhurst University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Aurora University 5,923
  • Elmhurst University 3,997
  • Type
  • Aurora University Private 4 Year
  • Elmhurst University Private 4 Year
  • National Ranking
  • Aurora University #734
  • Elmhurst University #320
  • Religious Affiliation
  • Aurora University -
  • Elmhurst University United Church of Christ
  • Status
  • Aurora University Non-profit
  • Elmhurst University Non-profit
  • Team Colors
  • Aurora University
  • Elmhurst University
  • Cost

  • Tuition (In State)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • Tuition (Out of State)
  • Aurora University $29,170
  • Elmhurst University $42,955
  • Room & Board
  • Aurora University $13,580
  • Elmhurst University $14,528
  • Average Net Price
  • Aurora University $19,053
  • Elmhurst University $24,629
  • Average Grant Aid
  • Aurora University $21,513
  • Elmhurst University $30,079
  • % Receiving Grant Aid
  • Aurora University 99%
  • Elmhurst University 100%
  • Admissions

  • Applied
  • Aurora University 5,384
  • Elmhurst University 6,245
  • Admitted
  • Aurora University 4,353
  • Elmhurst University 4,599
  • Acceptance Rate
  • Aurora University 80.9%
  • Elmhurst University 73.6%
  • Enrolled
  • Aurora University 15.6%
  • Elmhurst University 12.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Aurora University 1030
  • Elmhurst University 1130
  • Typical ACT score
  • Aurora University 25
  • Elmhurst University 26
  • Average High School GPA
  • Aurora University 3.56
  • Elmhurst University 3.59
  • Typical High School Grades
  • Aurora University A-
  • Elmhurst University A-
  • Admissions Standards
  • Aurora University Moderate
  • Elmhurst University Challenging
  • Applicant Competition
  • Aurora University
  • Elmhurst University Low
  • ACT Range
  • Aurora University 21/29
  • Elmhurst University 23/30
  • SAT Range
  • Aurora University 900/1150
  • Elmhurst University 990/1260
  • Submit Test Scores
  • Aurora University Test optional
  • Elmhurst University Test optional
  • Application Deadline
  • Aurora University
  • Elmhurst University
  • Academics

  • Student to Faculty Ratio
  • Aurora University 18:1
  • Elmhurst University 15:1
  • Popular Majors
  • Aurora University
    • Business (26%)
    • Health Professions (20%)
    • Education (16%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (7%)
    • Human Services (7%)
  • Elmhurst University
    • Business (20%)
    • Health Professions (15%)
    • Education (12%)
    • Psychology (8%)
    • Social Sciences (8%)
  • Outcomes

  • Graduation Rate
  • Aurora University 44%
  • Elmhurst University 70%
  • Median Earnings (After 10 years)
  • Aurora University $42,900
  • Elmhurst University $50,200
  • Making Student Loan Payments
  • Aurora University 63%
  • Elmhurst University 72%
  • Median Student Loan Debt
  • Aurora University $22,337
  • Elmhurst University $21,500
  • Median Loan Payment
  • Aurora University $230
  • Elmhurst University $222
  • Diversity

  • % Men
  • Aurora University 28%
  • Elmhurst University 38%
  • % Women
  • Aurora University 72%
  • Elmhurst University 62%
  • Racial Diversity
  • Aurora University High
  • Elmhurst University Medium
  • HBCU
  • Aurora University No
  • Elmhurst University No
  • % White
  • Aurora University 56%
  • Elmhurst University 67%
  • % Asian
  • Aurora University 2%
  • Elmhurst University 6%
  • % Black
  • Aurora University 8%
  • Elmhurst University 5%
  • % Hispanic
  • Aurora University 25%
  • Elmhurst University 17%
  • % Native American
  • Aurora University 0%
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • % Pacific Islander
  • Aurora University 0%
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • % Two or More Races
  • Aurora University 3%
  • Elmhurst University 3%
  • % International
  • Aurora University 0%
  • Elmhurst University 0%
  • % Unknown Race
  • Aurora University 5%
  • Elmhurst University 2%
  • Students

  • % In-State
  • Aurora University 86%
  • Elmhurst University 82%
  • % Out-of-State
  • Aurora University 14%
  • Elmhurst University 18%
  • Campus

  • Campus Housing
  • Aurora University Yes
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • Freshman Dorm Required
  • Aurora University No
  • Elmhurst University No
  • Meal Plan
  • Aurora University Yes
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • Weekend/Evening Classes
  • Aurora University Yes
  • Elmhurst University Yes
  • Daycare Facility
  • Aurora University No
  • Elmhurst University Yes

Comparable Facts

Compare Aurora University in Aurora, IL with Elmhurst University in Elmhurst, IL on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Aurora University is larger than Elmhurst University based on total student enrollment (5,923 students vs. 3,997 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Aurora University is located in Aurora, IL (Large Suburban setting); Elmhurst University is in Elmhurst, IL (Large Suburban setting).
  • Aurora University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Elmhurst University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Aurora University 18:1; Elmhurst University 15:1.

Aurora University vs. Elmhurst University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Aurora University or Elmhurst University? 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 Aurora University than Elmhurst University ($19,053 vs. $24,629).
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Aurora University are 6.5% lower than at Elmhurst University ($13,580 vs. $14,528).
  • Elmhurst University is 47.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Aurora University (about $13,785 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $29,170.00).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 47.3% higher at Elmhurst University than at Aurora University (about $13,785 more per year; $42,955.00 vs. $29,170.00).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmhurst University than at Aurora University (100% vs. 99%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Elmhurst University students is 39.8% larger than aid received by Aurora University students ($30,079 vs. $21,513).

Aurora University vs. Elmhurst University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Aurora University or Elmhurst University? 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 Elmhurst University and Aurora University.

  • The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elmhurst University (1130) is 100 points higher than at Aurora University (1030).
  • Incoming Elmhurst University students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (26 vs. 25 at Aurora University).
  • Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aurora University 900/1150; Elmhurst University 990/1260.
  • Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Aurora University 21/29; Elmhurst University 23/30.
  • Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Aurora University - Test optional; Elmhurst University - Test optional.
  • Accepted freshman Elmhurst University students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.59) than students at Aurora University (3.56).
  • Aurora University has a higher acceptance rate (80.9%) than Elmhurst University (73.6%).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at Aurora University vs. 12.5% at Elmhurst University.

Aurora University vs. Elmhurst University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Aurora University and Elmhurst University? 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).

  • Elmhurst University's six-year graduation rate (70%) is higher than Aurora University's (44%).
  • Graduates from Elmhurst University earn a median of about $7,300 more per year than Aurora University graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,200 vs. $42,900), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Elmhurst University graduates have a $837 lower median loan debt than Aurora University graduates ($21,500 vs. $22,337).
  • Among borrowers, Elmhurst University graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Aurora University graduates ($222 vs. $230).
  • More Elmhurst University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Aurora University students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 63%)

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.