Elms College vs. Suffolk University

Should I go to College of Our Lady of the Elms or Suffolk University? Compare 50+ facts and figures about the colleges to help you determine if Elms College or Suffolk 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. Suffolk University comparison
College of Our Lady of the Elms Suffolk University College 3 College 4
College of Our Lady of the Elms Suffolk University
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Overview

Elms College Suffolk University
Location Chicopee, MA Boston, MA
Setting Large Suburban Large City
Enrollment 1,275 6,734
Type Private 4 Year Private 4 Year
National Ranking #401 #450
Religious Affiliation Roman Catholic - - -
Status Non-profit Non-profit
Website elms.edu suffolk.edu
Team Colors                    

Costs

Elms College Suffolk University
Tuition (In State) $38,735 $42,790
Tuition (Out of State) $38,735 $42,790
Room & Board $14,830 $18,482
Avg Net Price $23,498 $32,270
Avg Grant Aid $27,109 $27,856
% Receiving Grant Aid 98% 97%

Admission

Elms College Suffolk University
Admission Chances Calculate Calculate
Applied 1,177 9,699
Admitted 1,070 8,418
Acceptance Rate 90.9% 86.8%
Enrolled % 13.6% 15%
Avg High School GPA 3.42 3.33
Typical High School Grades B+ B+
Admissions Standards Challenging Difficult
Applicant Competition
ACT Range 24/30
SAT Range 1070/1300 1080/1300
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 Feb 15, 2025

Academics

Elms College Suffolk University
Student to Faculty Ratio 10:1 13:1
Popular Majors
  • Health Professions (49%)
  • Business (12%)
  • Human Services (9%)
  • History (5%)
  • General Studies (4%)
  • Business (39%)
  • Social Sciences (16%)
  • Communication (14%)
  • Psychology (7%)
  • Visual and Performing Arts (5%)

Outcomes

Elms College Suffolk University
Graduation Rate 58% 54%
Median Earnings (After 10 years) $46,300 $59,100
Making Student Loan Payments 61% 70%
Median Student Loan Debt $25,000 $27,000
Median Loan Payment $258 $279

Diversity

Elms College Suffolk University
% Men 25% 37%
% Women 75% 63%
Racial Diversity High Very High
HBCU No No
% White 56% 40%
% Black 7% 6%
% Hispanic 10% 11%
% Native American 0% 0%
% Pacific Islander 0% 0%
% Two or More Races 0% 2%
% International 0% 23%
% Unknown Race 24% 9%

Students

Elms College Suffolk University
% In-State 72% 56%
% Out-of-State 26% 36%

Campus

Elms College Suffolk 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

  • Suffolk University is larger than than Elms College based on total student enrollment (6,734 students vs. 1,275 students)

Elms College vs. Suffolk University Cost Comparison

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

  • Suffolk University is 10.5% more expensive to attend than Elms College for in-state tuition ($42,790.00 vs. $38,735.00)
  • Out of state tuition is 10.5% higher at Suffolk University than College of Our Lady of the Elms ($42,790.00 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 Suffolk University ($23,498 vs. $32,270)
  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 24.6% lower than costs at Suffolk University ($14,830 vs. $18,482)
  • More students receive financial grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than Suffolk University (98% vs. 97%)
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Suffolk University students is 2.8% larger than aid received College of Our Lady of the Elms ($27,856 vs. $27,109)

Elms College vs. Suffolk University Admissions Difficulty Comparison

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

  • The average SAT score at Suffolk University (1024) is 48 points higher than at Elms College (976)
  • Incoming Suffolk University students have a 1 point higher average ACT score (23) than students at Elms College (22)
  • Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.09 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Suffolk University (3.33)
  • Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (90.9%) than Suffolk University (86.8%)

Elms College vs. Suffolk University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

Which is better, Elms College or Suffolk 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 Suffolk University and Elms College.

  • The graduation rate at Elms College is higher than Suffolk University (58% vs. 54%)
  • Graduates from Suffolk University earn on average $12,800 more per year than Elms College graduates after ten years. ($59,100 vs. $46,300)
  • College of Our Lady of the Elms students graduate with a $2,000 lower median federal student loan debt than Suffolk University graduates. ($25,000 vs. $27,000)
  • Elms College graduates are paying $21 less per month on federal student loans than Suffolk University graduates. ($258 vs. $279)
  • More Suffolk University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (70% vs. 61%)

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