EC vs. SUNY Cortland

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with State University of New York at Cortland in Cortland, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

State University of New York at Cortland is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (6,938 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); State University of New York at Cortland is in Cortland, NY (Rural Fringe setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. State University of New York at Cortland is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; State University of New York at Cortland 15:1.

EC vs. SUNY Cortland Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or SUNY Cortland? 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 State University of New York at Cortland than EC ($19,847 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 6.5% lower than at State University of New York at Cortland ($14,550 vs. $15,560).
• Elmira College is 339.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than SUNY Cortland (about $30,102 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $8,874.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 107.5% higher at EC than at State University of New York at Cortland (about $20,192 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $18,784.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at State University of New York at Cortland (100% vs. 63%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Elmira College students is 248.7% larger than aid received by State University of New York at Cortland students ($28,780 vs. $8,254).

EC vs. SUNY Cortland Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Elmira College (1240) is 70 points higher than at SUNY Cortland (1170).
• Incoming EC students have a 3 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (27 vs. 24 at SUNY Cortland).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; State University of New York at Cortland 1090/1240.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; State University of New York at Cortland 22/27.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; SUNY Cortland - Test-free.
• Accepted freshman SUNY Cortland students have a 0.48 point higher average high school GPA (3.7) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than SUNY Cortland (59.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 13.3% at SUNY Cortland.

EC vs. SUNY Cortland Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and SUNY Cortland? 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).

• State University of New York at Cortland's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from State University of New York at Cortland earn a median of about $1,300 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,300 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, State University of New York at Cortland graduates have a $5,500 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($21,500 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, SUNY Cortland graduates have an estimated $57 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($222 vs. $279).
• More SUNY Cortland graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (75% 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.