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Elmira College

Elmira, NY·Private nonprofit·583 students
Last updated: March 22, 2026

A good fit for students who want accessible admissions and students who want small classes and close faculty access. no major red flags in the data. financial aid brings net price below sticker.

91%
Accept
583
Students
$23,735
Net Price
64%
Grad Rate
$48,500
Earnings
10 yr
$20,230
Debt

About This School

Elmira College is a private nonprofit institution located in Elmira, New York with approximately 583 undergraduate students enrolled. Elmira College has an open or accessible admissions process, with an acceptance rate of 91%. The average net price after financial aid is $23,735 per year. The graduation rate is 64%, and the typical graduate earns $48,500 within 10 years of enrollment.

Elmira College is a private college in Elmira, New York, United States. Founded as a college for women in 1855, it is the oldest existing college granting degrees to women that were the equivalent of those given to men. Elmira College became coeducational in all of its programs in 1969. As of 2023, the college has an enrollment of approximately 657 students.

The numbers tell a mixed story here: the net price of ~$23,700/year is reasonable, and the $20,230 median debt is relatively manageable, but a 64% graduation rate and 74% freshman retention rate suggest a meaningful share of students don't finish — worth asking admissions directly about what's driving that. Median earnings of $48,500 a decade out are modest but not alarming given the debt load. Worth considering if you're drawn to a tight-knit, historic liberal arts experience with small classes, but do your homework on student support resources before committing.

Founded
1855
Setting
Small city

Popular Programs

Health Professions25%
Business & Marketing15%
Education14%
Psychology7%
Biological Sciences6%
Social Sciences4%
Visual & Performing Arts2%
English1%

Percentage of degrees awarded. Source: College Scorecard.

Notable Alumni

Fay KaninAlice Mary Robertson

Source: Wikidata. Used for context only.

Admissions

SAT Scores

Average Composite1239
Reading 75th %ile650
Math 75th %ile682

ACT Scores

Midpoint CompositeN/A

Cost & Financial Aid

In-State Tuition
$37,932
Out-of-State Tuition
$37,932
Avg Net Price
$23,735
after aid

Financial Aid

Students receiving Pell Grants35%
Median debt at graduation$20,230

Full Cost

After Graduation

Graduation Rate
64%
within 6 years
Retention Rate
74%
freshmen returning
Earnings (10 yr)
$48,500
after enrollment
Median Debt
$20,230
at graduation

Will This School Pay Off?

Median Debt
$20,230
at graduation
Earnings (6 yr)
$36,800
after enrollment
Earnings (10 yr)
$48,500
after enrollment
Earnings-to-Debt Ratio: 2.4x

Solid return. Earnings outpace debt, though major choice matters.

Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. These are means across all graduates, not specific to any major.

Student Body

White72%
Black4%
Hispanic/Latino7%
Asian2%

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (583 undergraduates).

Contact & Location

Address

Elmira College

One Park Place

Elmira, NY 14901

View on Google Maps →

Other Schools in New York

Browse all New York schools →

Sources & Methodology

Data

Primary data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Accessed via automated sync. Latest values may come from different reporting years depending on the metric.

Contextual Enrichment

School overview from Wikipedia. Used for context only, not as a primary data source for admissions, cost, or outcomes claims.

Important Caveats
  • Earnings figures are institution-level averages, not major-specific.
  • Some metrics are based on Title IV financial aid recipients only.
  • Some values may be privacy-suppressed or rolled up by the Department of Education.
  • Contact the school directly for current admissions requirements and costs.
Trademarks

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