Percentile rankings vs 1,600+ peer institutions. Higher is better.
Career OutcomesAzimuth ranks Elmira College #1084 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 55.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. Azimuth ranks Elmira College #936 for mobility among nonprofit four-year institutions — the institution's strongest pillar.
Azimuth ranks Elmira College #1084 for overall value on Azimuth's composite among nonprofit four-year institutions. A private master's college in Elmira, NY, Elmira College enrolls roughly 708 undergraduates. Retention is 69.8% and the six-year graduation rate is 64.7%, reflecting solid persistence and degree completion for a residential liberal arts institution. Where Elmira College performs strongest is return on investment. Azimuth ranks Elmira College #782 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $64,723, and Elmira College sits in the 55.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The institution's dominant program family is Health, which aligns with strong regional demand and stable career pathways that support long-term financial outcomes. Access and affordability sit lower in the composite. Elmira College enrolls 37.9% Pell-eligible students and 26.8% first-generation undergraduates, reflecting a selective admissions posture that limits the breadth of low-income access typical of larger public institutions. Azimuth ranks Elmira College in the 31.0 percentile for access and the 25.5 percentile for affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. For admitted students, the institution's pricing and aid structure shape affordability outcomes that vary by family income and demonstrated need. The composite reflects a small, tuition-dependent private college whose strength lies in converting its enrolled students into graduates with solid earnings trajectories, even as the institution's selective enrollment model constrains its overall access footprint.
Elmira College's published cost of attendance is $52,449. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $17,392, middle-income families pay around $19,938, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,418. Azimuth ranks Elmira College #1062 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown. Elmira College structures aid through need-based grants and federal loan programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and the college works to meet demonstrated financial need through a combination of institutional aid, federal grants, and loans. Merit scholarships may also be available depending on academic profile and other institutional criteria. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $41,567; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the Parent PLUS risk framework for how household context shapes PLUS decisions. For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $64,723, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use Azimuth's Financial GPS tool.
Elmira College is a strong fit for students seeking a private liberal arts experience in NY's Northeast region. Graduates earn median 4-year earnings of $64,723, placing Elmira College in the 64.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. They earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing the institution in the 55.4 percentile for earnings beyond expectations among nonprofit four-year institutions. The college serves a mix of traditional and non-traditional students — 37.9% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants and 26.8% are first-generation. Published cost of attendance is $27,418, with need-based aid available to close the gap for qualifying students.
This school profile was generated using Azimuth's proprietary ROI framework, developed by founder Daniel Rogers. Our methodology transforms federal education data into actionable insights for families.
College Azimuth is a private research initiative and is not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Education or Federal Student Aid. Data sourced from College Scorecard.
This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, investment, or professional advice. Consult a qualified advisor before making any financial decisions.
Comprehensive Analysis
Detailed metrics, charts, and full data breakdown
Financial GPS Tool
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This is the Elmira College hub overview page. Related admissions, cost, outcomes, majors, and similar-school pages provide the detailed school data.
Based on federal data for students receiving aid. Actual costs may vary.
Elmira College's published cost of attendance is $52,449. Financial aid reshapes that figure across income levels: low-income families pay approximately $17,392, middle-income families pay around $19,938, and higher-income families pay approximately $27,418.
Azimuth ranks Elmira College #1062 for post-graduation affordability among nonprofit four-year institutions. Net prices by income band are medians within those bands; individual aid packages vary, so some families in each band pay more and some less than the figures shown.
Elmira College structures aid through need-based grants and federal loan programs. Families apply using the FAFSA, and the college works to meet demonstrated financial need through a combination of institutional aid, federal grants, and loans.
Merit scholarships may also be available depending on academic profile and other institutional criteria. Median federal student loan debt at graduation is $27,000, and families using Parent PLUS borrow a median of $41,567; private or institutional loans may add further borrowing that falls outside these federal-only figures — see the [Parent PLUS risk framework](/analysis/ou-what-happens-when-parents-borrow-too/) for how household context shapes PLUS decisions.
For a graduate at the institution's median four-year earnings of $64,723, median federal debt of $27,000 projects to a monthly payment of about $305 under standard ten-year repayment. For personalized projections across earnings scenarios — including Parent PLUS planning — use [Azimuth's Financial GPS tool](/analysis/financial-gps-framework/).
Graduates of Elmira College earn median 4-year earnings of $64,723, placing Elmira College in the 64.5 percentile for median earnings four years after enrollment among nonprofit four-year institutions. Graduates earn at roughly the same level as similar students at comparable institutions, placing Elmira College in the 55.4 percentile for [earnings beyond expectations](/analysis/a-value-added-approach-to-college-outcomes/) among nonprofit four-year institutions.
Azimuth ranks Elmira College #782 for return on investment among nonprofit four-year institutions. The earnings pattern reflects Elmira College's concentration in health-related fields.
Nursing is the largest program with 38 graduates earning median 4-year earnings of $89,729, performing at 1.0x the national benchmark for the field. The Business Administration program graduates 30 students with median 4-year earnings of $60,556, while Psychology, General and Biology, General round out the top programs with 21 and 13 graduates respectively.
This program-focused portfolio, anchored in Health, supports consistent outcomes for students pursuing careers in stable, in-demand fields.
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing
38 graduates
Accounting and Related Services
9 graduates
Business Administration, Management and Operations
30 graduates
Special Education and Teaching
5 graduates
Biology, General
13 graduates
Elmira College's program mix is anchored in health sciences and professional fields, reflecting the institution's identity as a private liberal arts college with applied career focus. Nursing is the largest program with 38 graduates, followed by Business Administration, Psychology, General, Biology, General, and Human Services, General.
Across 0 ranked programs serving roughly 147 students annually, several deliver strong four-year earnings outcomes aligned with regional labor-market demand. The earnings pattern reflects strength in applied health and professional pathways.
Nursing leads with median earnings of $89,729 four years after enrollment, followed by Accounting at $71,915, Business Administration at $60,556, Special Education and Teaching at $56,168, and Biology, General at $55,132. These earnings reflect direct-to-workforce pathways where graduates enter stable, in-demand roles in healthcare, business, and social services immediately after completion.
Elmira College's program concentration in Health aligns with both institutional mission and regional employer demand. The [supply and demand for college graduates](/analysis/supply-demand-map-college-degrees/) shows sustained hiring in health professions, nursing, and social work — fields where Elmira College graduates cluster.
As a smaller private institution with focused program depth rather than breadth, the college creates meaningful employer visibility and direct pathways into local and regional healthcare systems, social service agencies, and professional networks.
Peer institutions with comparable quality and outcomes:
| School | State | Accept Rate | Median Earnings | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Spalding University Similar quality tier (#29439 ranked) | KY | 99% | $49,438 | #29439 | Compare |
Wisconsin Lutheran College Similar quality tier (#29440 ranked) | WI | 78% | $54,664 | #29440 | Compare |
Southwestern Adventist University Similar quality tier (#29441 ranked) | TX | 78% | $52,946 | #29441 | Compare |
Simpson College Similar quality tier (#29442 ranked) | IA | 86% | $59,274 | #29442 | Compare |
Art Center College Of Design Similar quality tier (#29443 ranked) | CA | 75% | $71,958 | #29443 | Compare |
