Elms College vs. WCU

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA with West Chester University of Pennsylvania in West Chester, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

West Chester University of Pennsylvania is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (17,171 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); West Chester University of Pennsylvania is in West Chester, PA (Large Suburban setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. West Chester University of Pennsylvania is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 20:1.

Elms College vs. WCU Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or WCU? 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 WCU ($19,870 vs. $22,546).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at West Chester University of Pennsylvania are 5% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($14,828 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 302.1% more expensive for in-state tuition than WCU (about $32,550 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $10,775.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 91.7% higher at Elms College than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (about $20,726 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $22,599.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at West Chester University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 73%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 491.9% larger than aid received by West Chester University of Pennsylvania students ($33,794 vs. $5,709).

Elms College vs. WCU Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 50 points higher than at WCU (1190).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; West Chester University of Pennsylvania 1100/1270.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWest Chester University of Pennsylvania 24/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; WCU - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman WCU students have a 0.01 point higher average high school GPA (3.43) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than WCU (78.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 22.4% at WCU.

Elms College vs. WCU Graduation Outcomes Comparison

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

• West Chester University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (68%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from West Chester University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $2,700 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,000 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, West Chester University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, WCU graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($242 vs. $258).
• More WCU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.