Elms College vs. Western New England University

Comparable Facts

Compare College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA with Western New England University in Springfield, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Western New England University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (3,674 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); Western New England University is in Springfield, MA (Midsize City setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Western New England University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Western New England University 12:1.

Elms College vs. Western New England University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University ($19,870 vs. $27,056).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Western New England University are 0.2% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($15,570 vs. $15,605).
• Western New England University is 10.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $4,495 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 10.4% higher at Western New England University than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $4,495 more per year; $47,820.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Western New England University (100% vs. 97%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 2.2% larger than aid received by Western New England University students ($33,794 vs. $33,067).

Elms College vs. Western New England University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms College or Western New England University? 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 Western New England University and Elms College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 40 points higher than at Western New England University (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Western New England University 1090/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted studentsWestern New England University 21/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Western New England University - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Western New England University students have a 0.07 point higher average high school GPA (3.49) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Western New England University (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 12.5% at Western New England University.

Elms College vs. Western New England University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College and Western New England University? 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).

• Western New England University's six-year graduation rate (61%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Western New England University earn a median of about $13,500 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($59,800 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Western New England University graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Western New England University graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Western New England University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.