Elms College vs. Drexel

Comparable Facts

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

Drexel University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (21,153 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); Drexel University is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Drexel University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Drexel University 9:1.

Elms College vs. Drexel Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Drexel? 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 Drexel ($19,870 vs. $42,801).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 13.8% lower than at Drexel University ($15,605 vs. $18,096).
• Drexel University is 44.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $19,087 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44.1% higher at Drexel than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $19,087 more per year; $62,412.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms as at Drexel University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 3.7% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($35,051 vs. $33,794).

Elms College vs. Drexel Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Drexel University (1340) is 100 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Drexel University 1240/1440.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsDrexel University 27/32.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Drexel - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Drexel students have a 0.25 point higher average high school GPA (3.67) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Drexel (79.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Elms College vs. Drexel Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Drexel University's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Drexel University earn a median of about $31,100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($77,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $1,243 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,243).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $13 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($258 vs. $271).
• More Drexel graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (77% 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.