Fitchburg State vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare Fitchburg State University in Fitchburg, MA with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Fitchburg State University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (5,892 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Fitchburg State University is located in Fitchburg, MA (Midsize Suburban setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Fitchburg State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Fitchburg State University 11:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Fitchburg State vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Fitchburg State or Elms 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 Fitchburg State University than Elms College ($15,340 vs. $19,870).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Fitchburg State University are 1% lower than at College of Our Lady of the Elms ($15,452 vs. $15,605).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 281.9% more expensive for in-state tuition than Fitchburg State (about $31,979 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $11,346.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 148.6% higher at Elms College than at Fitchburg State University (about $25,899 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $17,426.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Fitchburg State University (100% vs. 92%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 192.9% larger than aid received by Fitchburg State University students ($33,794 vs. $11,539).

Fitchburg State vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Fitchburg State or Elms 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 Elms College and Fitchburg State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 90 points higher than at Fitchburg State (1150).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Fitchburg State University 1060/1230; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Fitchburg State - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Elms College students have a 0.13 point higher average high school GPA (3.42) than students at Fitchburg State (3.29).
• Fitchburg State has a higher acceptance rate (86.9%) than Elms College (85.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 13.5% at Fitchburg State vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Fitchburg State vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Fitchburg State and Elms 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).

• College of Our Lady of the Elms's six-year graduation rate (58%) is higher than Fitchburg State University's (47%).
• Graduates from College of Our Lady of the Elms earn a median of about $2,300 more per year than Fitchburg State graduates about ten years after starting college ($46,300 vs. $44,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Fitchburg State University graduates have a $2,315 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($22,685 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, Fitchburg State graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($234 vs. $258).
• More Fitchburg State graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (65% vs. 61%)

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.