EC vs. VWC

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with Virginia Wesleyan University in Virginia Beach, VA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Virginia Wesleyan University is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (1,853 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); Virginia Wesleyan University is in Virginia Beach, VA (Large City setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Virginia Wesleyan University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; Virginia Wesleyan University 15:1.

EC vs. VWC Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University than EC ($21,267 vs. $23,682).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Virginia Wesleyan University are 18% lower than at Elmira College ($11,930 vs. $14,550).
• Elmira College is 3.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than VWC (about $1,476 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 3.9% higher at EC than at Virginia Wesleyan University (about $1,476 more per year; $38,976.00 vs. $37,500.00).
• The same share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College as at Virginia Wesleyan University (100% vs. 100%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Virginia Wesleyan University students is 4% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($29,923 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. VWC Admissions comparison

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

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Virginia Wesleyan University (1250) is 10 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming VWC 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; Virginia Wesleyan University 1140/1350.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; Virginia Wesleyan University 28/29.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; VWC - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman VWC students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.39) than students at EC (3.22).
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than VWC (72.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 11.9% at VWC.

EC vs. VWC Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and VWC? 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 Virginia Wesleyan University's (48%).
• Graduates from Elmira College earn a median of about $4,300 more per year than VWC graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,000 vs. $41,700), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Virginia Wesleyan University and EC graduates have the same median loan debt ($27,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers in the federal data, Virginia Wesleyan University and EC graduates have the same median monthly federal student loan payment ($279 vs. $279).
• More EC graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former VWC students, three years after graduation. (72% vs. 57%)

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.