EC vs. Penn

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

University of Pennsylvania is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (29,109 students vs. 786 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); University of Pennsylvania is in Philadelphia, PA (Large City setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Pennsylvania is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; University of Pennsylvania 8:1.

EC vs. Penn Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or Penn? 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 University of Pennsylvania than EC ($23,570 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 24.1% lower than at University of Pennsylvania ($14,550 vs. $19,174).
• University of Pennsylvania is 76.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $29,710 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 76.2% higher at Penn than at Elmira College (about $29,710 more per year; $68,686.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at University of Pennsylvania (100% vs. 51%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by University of Pennsylvania students is 127.4% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($65,458 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Penn Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC or Penn? Typical SAT and ACT scores (midpoint estimates from the mid-50% ranges in the table above), enrolled-tester score ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Penn and EC.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Pennsylvania (1540) is 300 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Penn students have a 8 point higher typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate) (35 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elmira College 1090/1385; University of Pennsylvania 1510/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: Elmira College 26/29; University of Pennsylvania 34/36.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Penn - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Penn Jan 5, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman Penn students have a 0.73 point higher average high school GPA (3.95) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Penn (5.4%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 68% at Penn.

EC vs. Penn Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and Penn? Where federal data is available for both schools, the bullets below compare graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt using the same College Scorecard / IPEDS fields as the comparison table. If a metric is missing for one school, that school is noted separately.

• University of Pennsylvania's six-year graduation rate (96%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from University of Pennsylvania earn a median of about $77,600 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($123,600 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Pennsylvania graduates have a $6,367 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($20,633 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Penn graduates have an estimated $66 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($213 vs. $279).
• More Penn graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (84% 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.