EC vs. Purchase College

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with SUNY at Purchase College in Purchase, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

SUNY at Purchase College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (3,333 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); SUNY at Purchase College is in Purchase, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. SUNY at Purchase College is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; SUNY at Purchase College 12:1.

EC vs. Purchase College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or Purchase 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 SUNY at Purchase College than EC ($18,211 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 11.5% lower than at SUNY at Purchase College ($14,550 vs. $16,436).
• Elmira College is 335.3% more expensive for in-state tuition than Purchase College (about $30,023 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $8,953.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 103% higher at EC than at SUNY at Purchase College (about $19,773 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $19,203.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at SUNY at Purchase College (100% vs. 72%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 175.9% larger than aid received by SUNY at Purchase College students ($28,780 vs. $10,432).

EC vs. Purchase College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC or Purchase 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 Purchase College and EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at SUNY at Purchase College (1280) is 40 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Purchase College students have a 1 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (28 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; SUNY at Purchase College 1185/1380.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; SUNY at Purchase College 27/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Purchase College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Purchase College Jul 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Purchase College students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.37) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Purchase College (74%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 12.9% at Purchase College.

EC vs. Purchase College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and Purchase 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).

• Elmira College's six-year graduation rate (60%) is higher than SUNY at Purchase College's (56%).
• Graduates from Elmira College earn a median of about $5,800 more per year than Purchase College graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $40,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, SUNY at Purchase College graduates have a $4,500 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($22,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Purchase College graduates have an estimated $47 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($232 vs. $279).
• More EC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Purchase College students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 65%)

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.