Elms College vs. Arcadia

Comparable Facts

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

Arcadia University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (3,404 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Elms College vs. Arcadia Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia ($19,870 vs. $30,037).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 9.2% lower than at Arcadia University ($15,605 vs. $17,180).
• Arcadia University is 14.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $6,285 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 14.5% higher at Arcadia than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $6,285 more per year; $49,610.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Arcadia University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Arcadia University students is 2.7% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($34,705 vs. $33,794).

Elms College vs. Arcadia Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms College or Arcadia? 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 Arcadia and Elms College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 70 points higher than at Arcadia (1170).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Arcadia University 1065/1265.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Arcadia - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Elms College students have the same average high school GPA (3.42) as students at Arcadia (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Arcadia (80.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 7.4% at Arcadia.

Elms College vs. Arcadia Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College and Arcadia? 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).

• Arcadia University's six-year graduation rate (62%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Arcadia University earn a median of about $100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Arcadia graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Arcadia graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Arcadia graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.