Berea College vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

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

Berea College is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (1,527 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Berea College is located in Berea, KY (Distant Town setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Berea College 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: Berea College 9:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Berea College vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Berea College 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 Berea College than Elms College ($5,888 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Berea College are 47.4% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($8,208 vs. $15,605).
• Berea College is 19.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $8,333 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 19.2% higher at Berea College than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $8,333 more per year; $51,658.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Berea College as at College of Our Lady of the Elms (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Berea College students is 62.2% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($54,830 vs. $33,794).

Berea College vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Berea College 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 Berea College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Berea College (1250) is 10 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 1156/1335; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Berea College 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Berea College - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Berea College Mar 31, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Berea College students have a 0.2 point higher average high school GPA (3.62) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Berea College (19.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 53.8% at Berea College vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Berea College vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Berea College 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).

• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $10,200 more per year than Berea College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $36,100), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Berea College graduates have a $19,200 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($5,800 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Berea College graduates have an estimated $199 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($59 vs. $258).
• More Berea College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (62% 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.