Elms College vs. Worcester State University

Comparable Facts

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

Worcester State University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (5,745 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); Worcester State University is in Worcester, MA (Midsize City setting).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Worcester State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1; Worcester State University 16:1.

Elms College vs. Worcester State University Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Elms College or Worcester State 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 Worcester State University than Elms College ($12,778 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Worcester State University are 8.3% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($14,307 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 267.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than Worcester State University (about $31,539 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $11,786.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 142.5% higher at Elms College than at Worcester State University (about $25,459 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $17,866.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Worcester State University (100% vs. 80%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 257.1% larger than aid received by Worcester State University students ($33,794 vs. $9,464).

Elms College vs. Worcester State University Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Elms College or Worcester State 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 Worcester State University and Elms College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 90 points higher than at Worcester State University (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320; Worcester State University 1026/1283.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Elms College - Test optional; Worcester State University - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Worcester State University Jun 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.12 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Worcester State University (3.3).
• Worcester State University has a higher acceptance rate (88%) than Elms College (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 10.9% at Elms College vs. 16.7% at Worcester State University.

Elms College vs. Worcester State University Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Elms College and Worcester State 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).

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Worcester State University's (47%).
• Graduates from Worcester State University earn a median of about $2,900 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,200 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have a $5,000 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($20,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Worcester State University graduates have an estimated $52 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($206 vs. $258).
• More Worcester State University graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (66% 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.