Elms College vs. SU

Comparable Facts

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

Southwestern University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (1,440 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); Southwestern University is in Georgetown, TX (Distant Town setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Southwestern University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Southwestern University 11:1.

Elms College vs. SU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or SU? 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 SU ($19,870 vs. $32,228).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Southwestern University are 3.4% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($15,072 vs. $15,605).
• Southwestern University is 24.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $10,488 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 24.2% higher at SU than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $10,488 more per year; $53,813.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Southwestern University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Southwestern University students is 4% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($35,162 vs. $33,794).

Elms College vs. SU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 20 points higher than at SU (1220).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Southwestern University 1130/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSouthwestern University 26/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; SU - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: SU Feb 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman SU students have a 0.08 point higher average high school GPA (3.5) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than SU (43.1%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 13.8% at SU.

Elms College vs. SU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• Southwestern University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Southwestern University earn a median of about $11,100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($57,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $1,893 lower median loan debt than SU graduates ($25,000 vs. $26,893).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than SU graduates ($258 vs. $278).
• More SU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (80% 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.