Elmira College: 96.0% Acceptance Rate

96.0%Acceptance

$37,932Tuition

583Students

64%Grad Rate (6-yr)

$57,550Earnings

Private nonprofit4-yearSAT/ACT Test OptionalNCAA Division IIIStudy AbroadData: 2023-24

About Elmira College

Elmira College draws just 583 students to a small city campus that proudly celebrates its connection to Mark Twain, who summered here and wrote much of "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in a gazebo overlooking the valley. This liberal arts college has built a strong reputation in education and nursing programs, producing graduates like fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and film producer Hal Roach. The 95.95% acceptance rate reflects the school's welcoming approach to students seeking a close-knit academic environment.

Students pay an average of $23,735 after financial aid, less than the sticker price of nearly $53,000. Graduates earn a median of $57,550 ten years out, which helps explain why 97% find employment. With typical debt loads of $27,000, monthly loan payments average $286. The 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio ensures personal attention that justifies the investment.

Women make up 66.21% of the student body, and nearly three-quarters come from New York state. The Soaring Eagles compete in 14 NCAA Division III sports with 278 total athletes. The 64% six-year graduation rate suggests some students need extra time to complete their degrees, but the intimate campus culture and strong alumni network in the region provide ongoing support.

Academics & Faculty

Elmira College operates as a small liberal arts institution with just 583 students, creating an intimate academic environment. The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know students personally and provide individualized attention. The college built its reputation on strong education and nursing programs that prepare graduates for professional careers. Students also benefit from the school's unique connection to Mark Twain, who spent summers in Elmira and is buried there. The 64% six-year graduation rate reflects the challenges some students face, but the college's small size allows for extensive academic support. The liberal arts curriculum encourages students to explore diverse subjects before specializing.

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 8:1
Full-Time Faculty: 52.0%
Graduation Rate (4-year): 59.8%
Graduation Rate (6-year): 64.0%
Retention Rate: 73.8%
Median Earnings (10 years): $57,550
Carnegie Classification: Baccalaureate College

Popular Programs by Earnings

Popular programs by earnings
Program	Level	Median Earnings
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing.	Bachelor	$60,485
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Master	$45,715
Education, General.	Master	$39,844
Accounting and Related Services.	Bachelor	$36,852
Criminal Justice and Corrections.	Bachelor	$33,993
Business Administration, Management and Operations.	Bachelor	$31,133
Psychology, General.	Bachelor	$30,771
Human Services, General.	Bachelor	$30,409
Biology, General.	Bachelor	$28,598

View all 52 programs →

Campus Life

Winter coats are essential at Elmira College, where students bundle up for upstate New York's snowy months in this small city near the Pennsylvania border. The campus sits about 90 minutes from Syracuse and three hours from New York City, creating an intimate college town atmosphere. With housing capacity for 1,191 students and total enrollment of just 583, most undergraduates live on campus and form tight-knit communities.

The 8:1 student-faculty ratio means professors know your name and notice when you're absent. Students gather in small seminars and labs, then often head to nearby Elmira's historic downtown for coffee or dinner. The college's connection to Mark Twain, who lived in Elmira and is buried here, influences campus culture and provides unique research opportunities. With 278 athletes competing across 14 Division III sports, many weekends revolve around Soaring Eagles games. The Four-One-Four calendar system creates an intensive January term where students dive deep into single subjects or pursue internships.

Setting: City-Small
Housing Capacity: 1,191 beds
Calendar System: Four-One-Four
Study Abroad: Available

Campus Safety (2023)

1 total reported incident. Source: Clery Act / U.S. Department of Education

Campus safety incidents by location
Offense	On Campus	Residential	Noncampus	Public Property
Robbery	0	0	0	1

Climate & Weather

January Avg: 15°–32°F
July Avg: 57°–82°F
Annual Precipitation: 71.0"
Annual Snowfall: -705.3"

Student Demographics

Three-quarters of Elmira's 583 students come from New York state, reflecting the college's strong regional reputation in the Northeast. Women make up two-thirds of the student body, drawn largely to Elmira's well-regarded education and nursing programs. The college attracts a predominantly white student population with a solid middle-class base. About one-third receive Pell Grants, indicating Elmira serves many first-generation college students from working families across upstate New York. Students typically choose Elmira for its intimate 8:1 student-faculty ratio and personalized attention in career-focused programs.

Men: 33.8%
Women: 66.2%
White: 71.9%
Black: 4.0%
Hispanic: 6.5%
Asian: 1.9%
In-State Students: 74.0%
Pell Grant Recipients: 35.0%

Location

Elmira sits in New York's Southern Tier, about 90 miles south of Syracuse and 50 miles north of the Pennsylvania border. The city of 26,000 residents centers around the Chemung River in a valley surrounded by rolling hills. Mark Twain spent his summers here and is buried in the local cemetery, giving the area literary significance. About 74% of Elmira's students come from within New York state. The small city setting provides a close-knit college town atmosphere without the isolation of truly rural campuses. The Finger Lakes region offers outdoor recreation opportunities within an hour's drive. Students considering colleges in New York may also compare Elmira College with similar schools in the region.

Address: Elmira, New York 14901

Elmira Female College, by Tomlinson, C., fl. 1874-1890

Elmira College Hamilton Hall and College Avenue

After College

Source: College Scorecard / U.S. Department of Education

Median Earnings (10 years): $57,550
Median Earnings (5 years): $57,961
Mean Earnings (6 years after entry): $36,800
Loan Repayment Rate: 68.6%
Monthly Loan Payment: $286/mo
Median Debt at Graduation: $27,000

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the acceptance rate at Elmira College?

Elmira College accepts 95.95% of applicants, making it accessible to most students who apply. The average SAT score is 1195, with admitted students typically scoring between 1118 and 1272. This small liberal arts college values personal attention over selectivity.

How much does Elmira College cost after financial aid?

The average net price at Elmira College is $23,735, lower than the sticker price of $52,522. About 35% of students receive Pell Grants, and institutional grants average $25,189 for those who receive them. Students graduate with a median debt of $27,000.

What is the student-faculty ratio at Elmira College?

Elmira College maintains an 8:1 student-faculty ratio with just 583 total students enrolled. The college is known for its education and nursing programs, which benefit from this intimate classroom environment. The Four-One-Four calendar system allows for intensive January term experiences.

What are the career outcomes for Elmira College graduates?

Elmira College graduates earn a median salary of $57,550 ten years after graduation. The employment rate reaches 97%, though the 6-year graduation rate is 64%. Monthly loan payments average $286, which is manageable given the strong employment outcomes.

Where is Elmira College located and what is campus life like?

Elmira College sits in the small city of Elmira, New York, with housing capacity for 1,191 students despite having only 583 enrolled. About 74% of students come from within New York state, and the campus supports 14 varsity sports teams competing in NCAA Division III. The student body is 66% women and 34% men.

Does Elmira College have connections to Mark Twain?

Elmira College has strong historical ties to Mark Twain, who spent summers in the area and wrote some of his famous works there. The college has preserved this literary heritage as part of its identity in the small liberal arts community. Notable alumni include fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger and film producer Hal Roach.