UMass vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

Compare University of Massachusetts Amherst in Amherst, 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.

University of Massachusetts Amherst is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (31,726 students vs. 1,268 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• University of Massachusetts Amherst is located in Amherst, MA (Town Fringe setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• University of Massachusetts Amherst 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: University of Massachusetts Amherst 17:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

UMass vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, UMass 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 UMass ($19,870 vs. $22,948).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 6.6% lower than at University of Massachusetts Amherst ($15,605 vs. $16,710).
• College of Our Lady of the Elms is 143.8% more expensive for in-state tuition than UMass (about $25,553 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $17,772.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 7.1% higher at Elms College than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (about $2,876 more per year; $43,325.00 vs. $40,449.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at University of Massachusetts Amherst (100% vs. 81%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 157.8% larger than aid received by University of Massachusetts Amherst students ($33,794 vs. $13,110).

UMass vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, UMass or Elms College? 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 Elms College and UMass.

• The typical SAT score (midpoint estimate) at University of Massachusetts Amherst (1410) is 170 points higher than at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 1310/1500; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) among enrolled freshmen who submitted scores: University of Massachusetts Amherst 30/33.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: UMass - Test optional; Elms College - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: UMass Jan 15, 2027.
• Enrolled freshman UMass students have a 0.57 point higher average high school GPA (3.99) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than UMass (59.7%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.9% at UMass vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

UMass vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for UMass and Elms College? 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 Massachusetts Amherst's six-year graduation rate (67%) is higher than College of Our Lady of the Elms's (58%).
• Graduates from University of Massachusetts Amherst earn a median of about $8,900 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($55,200 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, University of Massachusetts Amherst graduates have a $1,000 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($24,000 vs. $25,000).
• Among borrowers, UMass graduates have an estimated $10 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($248 vs. $258).
• More UMass graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (76% 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.