EC vs. Fisher

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with St. John Fisher University in Rochester, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

St. John Fisher University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (3,693 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); St. John Fisher University is in Rochester, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. St. John Fisher University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; St. John Fisher University 11:1.

EC vs. Fisher Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or Fisher? 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 Elmira College than Fisher ($23,682 vs. $30,540).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 2.4% lower than at St. John Fisher University ($14,550 vs. $14,908).
• St. John Fisher University is 5.7% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $2,214 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 5.7% higher at Fisher than at Elmira College (about $2,214 more per year; $41,190.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College as at St. John Fisher University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 17.3% larger than aid received by St. John Fisher University students ($28,780 vs. $24,530).

EC vs. Fisher Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC or Fisher? 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 Fisher and EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elmira College (1240) is 30 points higher than at Fisher (1210).
• Incoming EC students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 25 at Fisher).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; St. John Fisher University 1120/1300.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; St. John Fisher University 23/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Fisher - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Fisher students have a 0.31 point higher average high school GPA (3.53) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Fisher (66.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 20.3% at Fisher.

EC vs. Fisher Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and Fisher? 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).

• St. John Fisher University's six-year graduation rate (73%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from St. John Fisher University earn a median of about $4,800 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($50,800 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, St. John Fisher University graduates have a $3,100 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($23,900 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Fisher graduates have an estimated $32 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($247 vs. $279).
• More Fisher graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (74% vs. 72%)

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.