Elms College vs. Rider University

Comparable Facts

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

Rider University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (4,003 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); Rider University is in Lawrenceville, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Rider University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Rider University 14:1.

Elms College vs. Rider University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Rider 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Rider University ($19,870 vs. $26,506).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 9.4% lower than at Rider University ($15,605 vs. $17,230).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 5.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Rider University (about $2,205 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $41,120.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.4% higher at Elms College than at Rider University (about $2,205 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $41,120.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms as at Rider University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 15.4% larger than aid received by Rider University students ($33,794 vs. $29,294).

Elms College vs. Rider University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms College or Rider 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 Rider University and Elms College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 30 points higher than at Rider University (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Rider University 1100/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsRider University 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Rider University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Rider University (3.41).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Rider University (78.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 9.1% at Rider University.

Elms College vs. Rider University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College and Rider 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).

• Rider University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Rider University earn a median of about $6,700 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,000 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than Rider University graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,750).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Rider University graduates ($258 vs. $266).
• More Rider University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (73% 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.