Elms College vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (3,333 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); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

Elms College vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Purchase College? 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 SUNY at Purchase College than Elms College ($18,211 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 5.1% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($15,605 vs. $16,436).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 383.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $34,372 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 125.6% higher at Elms College than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $24,122 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 223.9% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($33,794 vs. $10,432).

Elms College vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 40 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; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsSUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.05 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Purchase College (3.37).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

Elms College vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $6,100 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $2,500 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($22,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $26 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($232 vs. $258).
• More Purchase College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (65% 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.