Elmira College
Elmira, New York · Private Nonprofit · 77.0% acceptance rate
ROI Score: 53/100 · Below Average Value
Elmira College scores 53 (Below Average Value) on the CampusROI scale. The institution is a small private liberal arts college in Elmira, New York with 708 enrolled students and a net price of $22,386 -- well below the $38,976 sticker tuition due to institutional aid. The sub-score profile reveals where the value breaks down: earnings premium (55) and debt-to-earnings (23) are the weakest links. A debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.734 with a score of 23 is a serious red flag -- median debt of $27,000 against median 6-year earnings of $36,800 produces a 10.2-year payback period and challenging monthly obligations of $286. The completion rate of 64.7% is middling: roughly 1 in 3 enrollees does not graduate. The repayment rate sub-score of 63 (77.5% of borrowers reducing principal) is passable but not strong. Registered Nursing is the clear standout: 36 graduates, $76,302 year-one, $89,729 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.354 (ROI grade B). The remaining program spread is weak -- Psychology earns an F grade with a 1.139 debt-to-earnings ratio and a median year-one of only $23,698. The overall profile is an institution where program selection within Elmira matters enormously: nursing students get defensible outcomes; liberal arts generalists face a steep value proposition at any price.
Elmira College
Quick Numbers
| In-state tuition + fees | $38,976/yr |
| Out-of-state tuition + fees | $38,976/yr |
| Average net price | $22,386/yr |
| Total 4-year cost (net) | $89,544 |
| Median earnings (10yr post-entry) | $57,550 |
| Median earnings (6yr post-entry) | $36,800 |
| Median debt at graduation | $27,000 |
| Estimated monthly loan payment | $286 |
| Estimated payback period | 10.2 years |
| 6-year graduation rate | 64.7% |
| Undergraduate enrollment | 708 |
Data as of 2024-2025. Source: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education).
The Full Financial Picture
The sticker price at Elmira College is $38,976/year. But sticker price isn't what most students pay. After grants, scholarships, and financial aid, the average student pays a net price of $22,386/year, or roughly $89,544 over four years.
That net price varies significantly by family income. The lowest-income families (under $30,000/year) pay an average of $17,392/year, while families earning over $110,000 pay $27,418/year.
The median graduate leaves with $27,000 in federal loan debt, translating to an estimated monthly payment of $286 on a standard 10-year repayment plan. Against median earnings of $57,550 ten years out, the debt-to-earnings ratio is 0.73 - within the recommended range but worth monitoring.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after grants and scholarships, by income bracket.
| Family Income | Avg Net Price/Year |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $17,392 |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,586 |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $19,938 |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $23,309 |
| $110,001+ | $27,418 |
Cost by Income Bracket Explained
Lower-income families (under $30K)
Students in the 0-30000 income bracket pay $17,392 net price per year at Elmira -- approximately $69,568 over four years. The 30001-48000 bracket pays $16,586 -- even lower, likely reflecting a Pell-plus-aid sweet spot. These are the most favorable prices in the Elmira income table, and for nursing students specifically, the value equation improves significantly at this price point. The 37.9% Pell rate suggests a meaningful portion of the student body qualifies for these aid levels.
Middle-income families ($30K-$110K)
The 48001-75000 bracket pays $19,938 per year; the 75001-110000 bracket pays $23,309. Aid decreases as income rises through the middle bands. At $20,000-$23,000 per year, Elmira is in a competitive range for small private colleges in New York, though public alternatives like SUNY campuses remain considerably cheaper for in-state students.
Higher-income families ($110K+)
The 110001-plus bracket pays $27,418 per year -- approximately $109,672 over four years. At this price, nursing graduates earn a defensible return on investment; most other program outcomes do not. Higher-income families choosing Elmira for general liberal arts should be comfortable with a 10.2-year payback period and 6-year median earnings of $36,800.
Earnings by Major
Top 7 most popular majors at Elmira College with available earnings data.
| Major | Median Earnings | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing | $89,729 | B |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $60,556 | C |
| Psychology | $51,101 | F |
| Special Education and Teaching | $56,168 | - |
| Human Services, General | $49,723 | D |
| Biology | $55,132 | C+ |
| Accounting | $71,915 | - |
Earnings reflect median 4-year post-completion (or 1-year where 4-year unavailable). Grades based on debt-to-earnings ratio.
Program Analysis
Why these programs deliver their earnings outcomes.
Registered Nursing
Registered Nursing is Elmira's defining program: 36 graduates, $76,302 year-one, $89,729 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.354 (ROI grade B). Median debt of $27,000 matches the institutional median. Year-one earnings of $76k are strong relative to the regional upstate New York healthcare market. For students committed to nursing in the Southern Tier or Finger Lakes region, this program delivers solid outcomes at a net price that is competitive with other private nursing programs in New York.
Business Administration, Management, and Operations
Business Administration has 22 graduates with $40,617 year-one and $60,556 four-year, debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.665 (ROI grade C). The C grade reflects moderate debt against moderate earnings in a regional market. Elmira's small size limits the depth of business networking and recruiting infrastructure compared to larger institutions. Students targeting business careers in larger metropolitan markets should weigh whether the regional network justifies the investment.
Psychology
Psychology has 17 graduates with $23,698 year-one -- among the lowest first-year earnings in this batch -- and $51,101 four-year. The debt-to-earnings ratio of 1.139 earns an F grade: median debt of $27,000 exceeds year-one earnings by 14%. Psychology at Elmira is a high-financial-risk pathway without a graduate degree plan. Students who intend to pursue psychology as a pre-clinical or pre-doctoral track should account for additional graduate debt on top of this undergraduate baseline.
How Graduates Do
Earnings
Loan Repayment
| Metric | This School | Nat'l Avg |
|---|---|---|
| 1-year repayment | 71.7% | 52.0% |
| 3-year repayment | 77.5% | 62.0% |
| 5-year repayment | 76.5% | 68.0% |
| 7-year repayment | 79.9% | 72.0% |
Completion Rate
Admissions Snapshot
| Acceptance rate | 77.0% |
| SAT Math (25th-75th) | 522-691 |
| SAT Reading (25th-75th) | 568-694 |
| ACT Composite (25th-75th) | 26-29 |
| Enrollment | 708 |
| Pell Grant recipients | 37.9% |
| Avg faculty salary (monthly) | $5,191 |
At 77.0%, Elmira is accessible but not open-enrollment. SAT mid-range of 522-691 Math and 568-694 Reading reflects moderate academic preparation expectations. ACT 26-29 is a competent but not highly competitive range. The admissions profile suggests Elmira draws from a regional student population in the northeastern United States. Students who are within this score range and committed to nursing, education, or business will find a viable pathway; students pursuing the liberal arts broadly should scrutinize program-level outcome data before enrolling.
Compared to Similar Schools
Peer institutions matched by type, size, and selectivity.
Elmira's Scorecard peers include Adelphi University, Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Bryan College, Louisiana Christian University, and Heritage University. ROI scores for these specific peers are not available in current files. Within the small private New York college space, Elmira (ROI 53) sits in Below Average territory alongside institutions sharing similar completion rates and earnings profiles. The debt-to-earnings sub-score of 23 is the primary drag -- among the lowest in this batch. Prospective students should compare Elmira directly against SUNY Cortland, SUNY Oneonta, and SUNY Alfred for similar academic programming at substantially lower net prices.
| School | ROI | Net Price | 10yr Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elmira College (this school) | 53 | $22,386 | $57,550 |
| Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences | 94 | $29,882 | $131,426 |
| Adelphi University | 75 | $30,783 | $75,482 |
| Louisiana Christian University | 56 | $13,113 | $51,700 |
| Bryan College-Dayton | 54 | $20,614 | $54,434 |
| Heritage University | 51 | $14,598 | $49,416 |
Who Thrives Here
Elmira College admits 77.0% of applicants and enrolls 708 students in Elmira, New York -- a small regional city in the Southern Tier. SAT Math ranges 522-691, SAT Reading 568-694, ACT Composite 26-29 -- a mid-range selective profile. The Pell grant rate of 37.9% indicates meaningful lower-income representation. Elmira has a term-plan structure (3 terms rather than 2 semesters) and a strong nursing program track. Students who are pursuing nursing in upstate New York, or who are drawn to small-college liberal arts with strong advising, are the most plausible fit. The F-grade Psychology and D-grade Human Services program outcomes are a clear signal for liberal arts students who have not mapped career pathways carefully.
The Verdict: Proceed With Caution
The financial case for Elmira College is mixed. At $22,386 per year net cost, graduates earn a median of $57,550 ten years after entry - a payback period of 10.2 years. That's below the average return for four-year institutions, and prospective students should carefully consider whether the investment aligns with their financial goals.
Areas of concern include high debt relative to what graduates earn.
Median debt of $27,000 against $57,550 in earnings is reasonable, though major choice matters significantly. Students in higher-earning programs will see better returns.
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Data: College Scorecard API (U.S. Department of Education)
Vintage: 2024-2025 · Last updated: 2026-03-25
Earnings reflect median outcomes for all federal financial aid recipients. Individual results vary by major, effort, and career path.