Elms College vs. DeSales University

Should I go to College of Our Lady of the Elms or DeSales University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Elms College or DeSales University is the better college for you. The CollegeSimply comparison tool allows side-by-side comparison of 50+ statistics and facts for over 2,500 colleges and universities.

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College of Our Lady of the Elms vs. DeSales University comparison
College of Our Lady of the Elms DeSales University College 3 College 4
College of Our Lady of the Elms DeSales University
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Overview

Elms College DeSales University
Location Chicopee, MA Center Valley, PA
Setting Large Suburban Large Suburban
Enrollment 1,275 2,991
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #401 #262
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic Roman Catholic - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elms.edu desales.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elms College DeSales University
Tuition (In State) $38,735 $41,100
Tuition (Out of State) $38,735 $41,100
Room & Board $14,830 $13,500
Avg Net Price $23,498 $29,104
Avg Grant Aid $27,109 $27,824
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 100%

Admission

Elms College DeSales University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,177 3,662
Admitted 1,070 2,826
Acceptance Rate 90.9% 77.2%
Enrolled % 13.6% 18%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.39
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Challenging
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 23/29
SAT Range 1070/1300 1100/1280
Submit Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional) Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
Application Deadline Aug 1, 2025

Academics

Elms College DeSales University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 11:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (49%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • History (5%)
  • General Studies (4%)
  • Business (29%)
  • Health Professions (19%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
  • Biology (5%)
  • Communication (5%)

Outcomes

Elms College DeSales University
Graduation Rate 58% 69%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,300 $51,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 71%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $26,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $268

Diversity

Elms College DeSales University
% Men 25% 34%
% Women 75% 66%
Racial Diversity High Low
HBCU No No
% White 56% 75%
% Black 7% 4%
% Hispanic 10% 12%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 0% 0%
% Unknown Race 24% 6%

Students

Elms College DeSales University
% In-State 72% 66%
% Out-of-State 26% 34%

Campus

Elms College DeSales University
Campus Housing Yes Yes
Freshman Dorm Required No No
Meal Plan Yes Yes
Weekend/Evening Classes Yes Yes
Daycare Facility No No
Learn More Details Details

Comparable Facts

  • DeSales University is larger than than Elms College based on total student enrollment (2,991 students vs. 1,275 students)

Elms College vs. DeSales University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or DeSales University?

  • DeSales University is 6.1% more expensive to attend than Elms College for in-state tuition ($41,100.00 vs. $38,735.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 6.1% higher at DeSales University than College of Our Lady of the Elms ($41,100.00 vs. $38,735.00)
  • The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at College of Our Lady of the Elms than DeSales University ($23,498 vs. $29,104)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at DeSales University are 9.9% lower than costs at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($13,500 vs. $14,830)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at DeSales University than College of Our Lady of the Elms (100% vs. 98%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by DeSales University students is 2.6% larger than aid received College of Our Lady of the Elms ($27,824 vs. $27,109)

Elms College vs. DeSales University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms College or DeSales University? Average SAT and ACT scores plus acceptance rates offer good insight into the difficulty of admission between DeSales University or Elms College .

  • The average SAT score at DeSales University (1054) is 78 points higher than at Elms College (976)
  • Incoming DeSales University students have a 3 point higher average ACT score (25) than students at Elms College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.03 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at DeSales University (3.39)
  • Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than DeSales University (77.2%)

Elms College vs. DeSales University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elms College or DeSales University? Graduation rate, salary and amount of student loan debt are indicators of a college which offers better outcomes for its graduates. Compare the following outcomes facts between DeSales University and Elms College.

  • The graduation rate at DeSales University is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms (69% vs. 58%)
  • Graduates from DeSales University earn on average $4,800 more per year than Elms College graduates after ten years. ($51,100 vs. $46,300)
  • College of Our Lady of the Elms students graduate with a $1,000 lower median federal student loan debt than DeSales University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $26,000)
  • Elms College graduates are paying $10 less per month on federal student loans than DeSales University graduates. ($258 vs. $268)
  • More DeSales University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (71% vs. 61%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/