Admit rate has ranged 80%–96% over the last 5 years — notably volatile. Source: IPEDS via Urban Institute.
Acceptance & SAT from Common Data Set / IPEDS; net price, earnings & graduation from the U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~1–2 years — verify with the school.
Elmira College is a small, moderately selective liberal arts college in upstate New York with a quirky, student-driven vibe. Known for its blend of liberal arts and pre-professional programs—especially in health sciences and business—it offers a tight-knit, residential experience where 81% of students live on campus. With a 77% acceptance rate and a freshman retention rate of just 65%, it’s a school that attracts students who thrive in a hands-on, personalized academic environment.
Admission requirements
Test-optional — scores considered if submitted
Required
High school transcript
Grade point average
College-prep program
TOEFL (non-native English)
Considered (not required)
Class rank
Letters of recommendation
Test scores (SAT/ACT)
Source: IPEDS Admissions survey (2022) via Urban Institute. Covers formal factors only — it does not reflect essays, extracurriculars, or other holistic criteria.
More details
Undergrad enrollment
708
In-state tuition
$38,976
Out-of-state tuition
$38,976
Location
Elmira, NY
Popular Majors
Finance, Nursing, Human Services
Acceptance Rate
77%
6-Year Grad Rate
61%
On-Campus Housing
81% of students
Freshman Retention
65%
Outcomes & value
Outcomes & value
Median earnings (10 yr)
$57,550
Value (earnings ÷ net price)
2.6×
Median debt at graduation
$27,000
Graduation rate
65%
First-year retention
70%
Reducing loan balance (3 yr)
69%
Pell (lower-income) share
48%
First-generation share
27%
Endowment / student
$36,465
Financial health
1.6 / 3.0Meets the federal financial-responsibility standard
U.S. Dept. of Education Financial Responsibility Composite Score (FY2022-23). Scale −1.0 to 3.0; ≥1.5 meets the standard. Reported for private nonprofit & for-profit institutions only — public universities are state-backed and not scored, so this is a stability signal, not a ranking.
Top-earning majors
Median earnings by field of study (highest credential), ~2 years after completion.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing$60,485
Accounting and Related Services$36,852
Criminal Justice and Corrections$33,993
Business Administration, Management and Operations$31,133
Psychology, General$30,771
Human Services, General
Campus & location
Campus safety
On-campus violent crimes (2024)
0
Per 1,000 students
0.00
On-campus criminal offenses classed as violent (murder/non-negligent manslaughter, rape, robbery, aggravated assault) for the most recent reported year. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education Campus Safety and Security (Clery Act). Counts reflect what’s reported to the school, and urban campuses often report more partly due to non-student incidents nearby — read alongside campus size and setting, not as a standalone safety verdict.
Climate
Pleasant days / yr
93
Summer high
80°F
Winter low
22°F
Annual rain
41.8"
Annual snow
39.6"
Natural-hazard risk
Relatively Low
Pleasant days counts days per year with a mean temperature of 55–75°F, a high at or below 90°F, a low at or above 45°F, and little precipitation — a transparent comfort measure, not a weighting we invented. Computed from Open-Meteo ERA5 daily history (2019–2023). Natural-hazard risk is the county’s composite rating from the FEMA National Risk Index.
Deep dive — research, future-scholar output & economic mobility▾
Research output
Institutional h-index
41
Scholarly works
710
Institutional research volume and impact from OpenAlex. The h-index reflects large research universities and will be low for teaching-focused liberal-arts colleges — not a measure of undergraduate quality.
Economic mobility
Mobility rate
1.4%
Bottom → top quintile
27%
From bottom quintile
5%
Mobility rate = the share of students who both start in the bottom household-income quintile and reach the top quintile; bottom → top is that chance conditional on starting at the bottom. Source: Opportunity Insights Mobility Report Cards (Chetty, Friedman, Saez, Turner & Yagan). Reflects 1980–82 birth cohorts, so it’s directional, not current.
Quick answers
What is the acceptance rate at Elmira College?
Elmira College's acceptance rate is approximately 77% (Elmira, NY), based on the most recent figures we compiled from public and primary sources.
What SAT score do you need for Elmira College?
Admitted students at Elmira College typically score 1090–1385 on the SAT (the middle-50% range). Scores outside this band are still admitted, especially with strong applications.
How much does Elmira College cost?
At Elmira College, the average net price (after aid) is about $22,386 per year. Actual cost varies with financial aid and residency.
How many undergraduates attend Elmira College?
Elmira College enrolls approximately 708 undergraduate students.
Where is Elmira College located?
Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY.
Admissions
Elmira College is moderately selective, with a 77% acceptance rate (87.5% for early applicants). Of the 2,674 applicants in a recent cycle, 2,058 were admitted, and 745 enrolled. The middle 50% of admitted students had SAT scores between 1395–1485 (Math: 522–610, Reading/Writing: 530–600) and an average GPA of 3.4. The college is test-optional and accepts the Common Application, with rolling admissions for regular decision. Notably, the freshman retention rate is just 65%, suggesting some challenges in keeping first-year students engaged.
Earnings = median of students working ~10 years after entry; debt = median of graduates. Value divides 10-yr earnings by one year’s net price — read it as earnings per dollar of annual cost, not a full lifetime ROI; it favors lower-cost schools. Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard. Figures lag ~2 years and reflect all students, not your intended major.
$30,409
Biology, General$28,598
Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings). Figures cover graduates who received federal aid and lag ~2 years; not all programs report data.
Academics
Elmira offers 35+ majors, blending liberal arts with pre-professional programs. Popular majors include Finance (7% of degrees), Elementary Education (4%), and Nursing, with a strong emphasis on health sciences (including dual-degree options). The college encourages interdisciplinary study, even allowing students to design their own Individualized Studies majors. Classes are small, and the vibe is "very student-led," with a focus on career preparation for fields like business, law, and medicine. The Human Services major is notably popular, accounting for 25 recent graduates.
Life at Elmira is residential and active, with 81% of students living on campus. The Office of Campus Life organizes events like outdoor festivals, game nights, and poetry slams, while 50+ clubs—from academic societies to niche interest groups—keep students busy. The college fosters a collaborative, supportive environment, though Niche reviews note mixed opinions on campus safety and social life. Athletics (NCAA Division III) play a role, but the vibe leans more toward low-key gatherings than rah-rah school spirit.
Elmira’s 6-year graduation rate is 61% (71% for Pell Grant recipients, surprisingly higher than the 61% for non-Pell students). Graduates earn a median salary of $36,427 one year out, though long-term data is sparse. In 2024, the college awarded 196 degrees, with 65.8% going to women. The outcomes suggest a mix of success stories and challenges, with some graduates thriving in fields like education and healthcare, while others may face underemployment.
Elmira’s average net price is $23,682–$27,184 after aid, with 100% of first-year students receiving scholarships or grants. Merit awards range from $16,000 to full tuition, and 95% of freshmen get Merit aidScholarship money awarded for achievements like grades, talents, or test scores — not based on your family's financial need. (average discount: $17,392). The college emphasizes affordability, but the modest graduation rates suggest some students may struggle to see the ROI. For those who persist, the financial burden is lighter than the sticker price implies.
Elmira’s quirky appeal lies in its combo of liberal arts flexibility and pre-professional grit. It’s a place where you can major in Finance by day, join a poetry slam at night, and still graduate with less debt than peers at flashier schools. The health sciences programs are a hidden strength, and the Individualized Studies option caters to self-starters. But it’s not for everyone: the 65% freshman retention rate hints at a sink-or-swim vibe. For students who click with its intimate, no-frills ethos, Elmira offers a pragmatic—if unpolished—path to a degree.
