Elms College vs. SPU

Comparable Facts

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

Seattle Pacific University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (2,261 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); Seattle Pacific University is in Seattle, WA (Large City setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Seattle Pacific University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Seattle Pacific University 13:1.

Elms College vs. SPU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or SPU? 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 SPU ($19,870 vs. $25,232).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 5.4% lower than at Seattle Pacific University ($15,605 vs. $16,491).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 7.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SPU (about $2,918 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.2% higher at Elms College than at Seattle Pacific University (about $2,918 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $40,407.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Seattle Pacific University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 7.1% larger than aid received by Seattle Pacific University students ($33,794 vs. $31,558).

Elms College vs. SPU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 50 points higher than at SPU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Seattle Pacific University 1050/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSeattle Pacific University 20/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; SPU - Test-free.
• Typical fall application deadline: SPU Jul 11, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SPU students have a 0.11 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than SPU (83.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 15.8% at SPU.

Elms College vs. SPU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Seattle Pacific University's six-year graduation rate (74%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Seattle Pacific University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $603 lower median loan debt than SPU graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,603).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $6 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SPU graduates ($258 vs. $264).
• More SPU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (82% 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.