Whittier College vs. Elms College

Comparable Facts

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

College of Our Lady of the Elms is larger than Whittier College based on total student enrollment (1,268 students vs. 795 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Whittier College is located in Whittier, CA (Large Suburban setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
• Whittier College 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: Whittier College 8:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Whittier College vs. Elms College Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Whittier College 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 Whittier College ($19,870 vs. $28,101).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 8.6% lower than at Whittier College ($15,605 vs. $17,082).
• Whittier College is 18.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Elms College (about $8,025 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 18.5% higher at Whittier College than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $8,025 more per year; $51,350.00 vs. $43,325.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Whittier College (100% vs. 99%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Whittier College students is 7% larger than aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students ($36,176 vs. $33,794).

Whittier College vs. Elms College Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Whittier College 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 Whittier College.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Whittier College (1240) is the same as at Elms College (1240).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 1140/1340; College of Our Lady of the Elms 1150/1320.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Whittier College 24/30.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Whittier College - Test-free; Elms College - Test optional.
• Accepted freshman Whittier College students have a 0.19 point higher average high school GPA (3.61) than students at Elms College (3.42).
• Elms College has a higher acceptance rate (85.3%) than Whittier College (80.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 5.4% at Whittier College vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Whittier College vs. Elms College Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Whittier College 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 Whittier College's (55%).
• Graduates from Whittier College earn a median of about $1,100 more per year than Elms College graduates about ten years after starting college ($47,400 vs. $46,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates have a $500 lower median loan debt than Whittier College graduates ($25,000 vs. $25,500).
• Among borrowers, Elms College graduates have an estimated $5 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Whittier College graduates ($258 vs. $263).
• More Whittier College graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation. (69% 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.