College of Our Lady of the Elms
College of Our Lady of the Elms — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
College of Our Lady of the Elms at a Glance
The College of Our Lady of the Elms, often called Elms College, is a private Catholic college in Chicopee, Massachusetts, United States.
1928
98 years old
$12M
US$ 12 million
1,268
1,002 undergrad · 266 grad
52
22 acres
Identity
Is College of Our Lady of the Elms Worth It?
College of Our Lady of the Elms offers moderate value at $17,545/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $51,540, which is 4% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.4 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
The 66% graduation rate means roughly 34% of students leave without a degree — taking on debt without the earnings boost that completion brings.
How College of Our Lady of the Elms compares to peer private nonprofit colleges of similar tier in MA
Ranked #10 of 180 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | College of Biblical Studies-Houston | 100 | $672 | $39,260 |
| #2 | Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | 83 | $11,704 | $58,170 |
| #3 | Christian Brothers University | 81 | $9,854 | $57,478 |
| #4 | Andrews University | 73 | $12,547 | $53,187 |
| #5 | Albion College | 61 | $14,301 | $58,799 |
| #6 | Goldey-Beacom College | 56 | $15,554 | $59,892 |
| #10 | College of Our Lady of the Elms | 49 | $17,545 | $51,540 |
Peer group: private nonprofit colleges within ±60% of College of Our Lady of the Elms's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 6 in MA.
Best Programs at College of Our Lady of the Elms
The highest-earning program at College of Our Lady of the Elms is Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing at $69,700/year (4 years after graduation). The lowest is Social Work at $35,000/year.
Your major matters more than the school name — a Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduate from College of Our Lady of the Elms earns $69,700, while a Social Work graduate earns $35,000. Choose your program carefully — it's the single biggest lever you control.
Debt also varies by program: Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing graduates carry $25,000 in median debt vs. $28,250 for Social Work.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $17,545/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Programs & Earnings by Major
Graduate earnings data by field of study (4 years after graduation):
| Major | Earnings (4yr) | Earnings (1yr) | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | $69,700 | $69,700 | $25,000 |
| Social Work | $35,000 | $35,000 | $28,250 |
Similar Colleges in MA
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- private
- Location
- Chicopee, MA
- Student Body
- 949 students
- Admission Rate
- 85%
- Graduation Rate
- 66%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $17,545
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $51,540
- Median Student Debt
- $25,000