Dort vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

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

Dordt University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (1,952 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Dordt University is located in Sioux Center, IA (Remote Town setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Dordt University 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: Dordt University 14:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Dort vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Dort 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 Dort ($19,870 vs. $28,486).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Dordt University are 24.6% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($11,770 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 16.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Dort (about $6,275 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $37,050.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 16.9% higher at Elms College than at Dordt University (about $6,275 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $37,050.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Dordt University as at College of Our Lady of the Elms (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 45.2% larger than aid received by Dordt University students ($33,794 vs. $23,277).

Dort vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Dort 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 Dort.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 40 points higher than at Dort (1200).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 1070/1330; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Dordt University 21/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Dort - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Dort students have a 0.23 point higher average high school GPA (3.65) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Dort (68.5%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 38% at Dort vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Dort vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Dort 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).

• Dordt University's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $3,000 more per year than Dort graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $43,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Dordt University graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($23,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Dort graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($237 vs. $258).
• More Dort graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (90% 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.