At $21,436/yr net price, College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates earn $51,540/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,540/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,436 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $85,744 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,540/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,540/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 64.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,824/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,265/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,376/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $26,565/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,882/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services, Other. | Master | $82,440 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Bachelor | $69,410 | $20,907 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Master | $46,790 | $38,151 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $46,087 | |
| Marketing. | Bachelor | $38,289 | |
| Social Work. | Bachelor | $35,060 | $28,250 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $29,685 | $27,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Bachelor | $29,250 | $26,493 |
| Communication Disorders Sciences and Services. | Bachelor | $23,456 | $27,000 |
The Risk Factor
64.7% of students at College of Our Lady of the Elms graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 35% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at Elms College hinges almost entirely on what you study. The overall median earnings land close to the median debt, so the typical graduate carries a manageable but unremarkable payoff. Nursing is the reason to come here. It pays roughly $69,000 ten years out with the lowest debt of any program listed, and in the Massachusetts-Connecticut healthcare market that earnings floor is stable and in demand. Accounting is the only other program that clears a comfortable margin over the typical debt load.
Everything else is where the math turns risky. Social work graduates earn around $35,000 while carrying more debt than nursing graduates do, which is one of the worst ratios on this list. Health and medical administration is worse still, pairing the lowest earnings with debt near $27,000. Marketing sits in between and offers no clear advantage. If you enroll planning to major in any of these, you will likely spend years earning less than your loan balance.
The net price structure rewards lower-income families and penalizes middle-income ones. If your family earns under $75,000, you pay roughly $18,000 a year. Cross into the $75,000-$110,000 band and the price jumps by about $8,000 with no gradual step, so a modest raise can cost you real money. Families over $110,000 pay close to the sticker net price.
Elms is a good financial fit if you are committed to nursing, especially if you qualify for the lower-income price tiers. A 76% retention rate and 65% graduation rate mean a real share of students leave before finishing, and leaving with debt and no degree is the biggest risk here. If your interest is social work, health administration, or marketing, price out the cheaper public alternatives before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of Our Lady of the Elms worth the cost?
With graduates earning $51,540 after 10 years and a net price of $21,436 annually, the return on investment is modest but reasonable for most students. The school's business programs show stronger earnings potential at $82,440, while education majors face lower returns around $46,790.
What programs at College of Our Lady of the Elms have the best job prospects?
Business and nursing programs offer the strongest financial returns, with business graduates earning $82,440 and nursing graduates earning $69,410. Education and marketing majors see significantly lower earnings in the $38,000-$47,000 range.
How much debt do College of Our Lady of the Elms graduates typically have?
The median debt is $25,000, which is manageable compared to the national average. However, with only a 64.7% graduation rate, there's notable risk of taking on debt without completing a degree.
Does College of Our Lady of the Elms provide good financial aid?
The net price of $21,436 suggests decent financial aid for a private college. With a 90.91% acceptance rate, the school is accessible but the relatively low graduation rate indicates academic support may be a concern.