EC vs. Vassar

Comparable Facts

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

Vassar College is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (2,462 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Vassar College is in Poughkeepsie, NY (Large Suburban setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Vassar College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Vassar College 7:1.

EC vs. Vassar Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or Vassar? 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 Vassar ($23,682 vs. $29,981).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 20.2% lower than at Vassar College ($14,550 vs. $18,240).
• Vassar College is 82.2% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $32,054 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 82.2% higher at Vassar than at Elmira College (about $32,054 more per year; $71,030.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at Vassar College (100% vs. 55%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Vassar College students is 99.6% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($57,443 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Vassar Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Vassar College (1500) is 260 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Vassar students have a 7 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; Vassar College 1450/1550.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Vassar College 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Vassar - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Vassar Jan 1, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Vassar students have a 0.64 point higher average high school GPA (3.86) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Vassar (18.6%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 28.8% at Vassar.

EC vs. Vassar Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and Vassar? 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).

• Vassar College's six-year graduation rate (91%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from Vassar College earn a median of about $12,400 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($58,400 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Vassar College graduates have a $11,220 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($15,780 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Vassar graduates have an estimated $116 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($163 vs. $279).
• More Vassar graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (92% 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.