Howard vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

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

Howard University is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (14,890 students vs. 1,268 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Howard University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Howard University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Howard University 13:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Howard vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Howard 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 College of Our Lady of the Elms than Howard ($19,870 vs. $33,368).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 9.9% lower than at Howard University ($15,605 vs. $17,322).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 21% more expensive for in-state tuition than Howard (about $7,515 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21% higher at Elms College than at Howard University (about $7,515 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $35,810.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Howard University (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 58.9% larger than aid received by Howard University students ($33,794 vs. $21,262).

Howard vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Howard 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 Howard.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at College of Our Lady of the Elms (1240) is 30 points higher than at Howard (1210).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 1090/1320; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Howard University 22/28.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Howard - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Howard Feb 15, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Howard students have a 0.24 point higher average high school GPA (3.66) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Howard (41.3%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 19.4% at Howard vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Howard vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Howard 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).

• Howard University's six-year graduation rate (63%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from Howard University earn a median of about $5,500 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($51,800 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Howard graduates ($25,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $21 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Howard graduates ($258 vs. $279).
• More Elms College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Howard students, three years after graduation. (61% vs. 33%)

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.