DUofC vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Dominican University of California in San Rafael, CA with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Dominican University of California is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (1,900 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dominican University of California is located in San Rafael, CA (Small City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dominican University of California is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Dominican University of California 8:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

DUofC vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, DUofC or Elms 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than DUofC ($19,870 vs. $37,456).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 3.6% lower than at Dominican University of California ($15,605 vs. $16,191).
• Dominican University of California is 20.4% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $8,836 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 20.4% higher at DUofC than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $8,836 more per year; $52,161.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dominican University of California as at College of Our Lady of the Elms (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Dominican University of California students is 1.3% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($34,224 vs. $33,794).

DUofC vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Dominican University of California (1260) is 20 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dominican University of California 1210/1300; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: DUofC - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman DUofC students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than DUofC (83.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.7% at DUofC vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

DUofC vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for DUofC and Elms 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 Dominican University of California's (56%).
• Graduates from Dominican University of California earn a median of about $12,100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 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 DUofC graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than DUofC graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More DUofC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (71% 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.