EC vs. Sewanee

Comparable Facts

Compare Elmira College in Elmira, NY with The University of the South in Sewanee, TN on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

The University of the South is larger than EC based on total student enrollment (1,724 students vs. 786 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• Elmira College is located in Elmira, NY (Small City setting); The University of the South is in Sewanee, TN (Distant Rural setting).
• Elmira College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. The University of the South is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: Elmira College 11:1; The University of the South 9:1.

EC vs. Sewanee Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, EC or Sewanee? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Elmira College than Sewanee ($23,682 vs. $34,815).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Elmira College are 9.2% lower than at The University of the South ($14,550 vs. $16,028).
• The University of the South is 44% more expensive for in-state tuition than EC (about $17,144 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 44% higher at Sewanee than at Elmira College (about $17,144 more per year; $56,120.00 vs. $38,976.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Elmira College than at The University of the South (100% vs. 98%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by The University of the South students is 29.2% larger than aid received by Elmira College students ($37,171 vs. $28,780).

EC vs. Sewanee Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, EC or Sewanee? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Sewanee and EC.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at The University of the South (1330) is 90 points higher than at EC (1240).
• Incoming Sewanee students have a 2 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (29 vs. 27 at EC).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 1090/1385; The University of the South 1260/1390.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Elmira College 26/29; The University of the South 27/31.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: EC - Test optional; Sewanee - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: Sewanee Feb 1, 2027.
• EC has a higher acceptance rate (77%) than Sewanee (56.9%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 12.3% at EC vs. 17.9% at Sewanee.

EC vs. Sewanee Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for EC and Sewanee? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• The University of the South's six-year graduation rate (86%) is higher than Elmira College's (60%).
• Graduates from The University of the South earn a median of about $3,800 more per year than EC graduates about ten years after starting college ($49,800 vs. $46,000), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, The University of the South graduates have a $8,000 lower median loan debt than EC graduates ($19,000 vs. $27,000).
• Among borrowers, Sewanee graduates have an estimated $83 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than EC graduates ($196 vs. $279).
• More Sewanee graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former EC students, three years after graduation. (83% vs. 72%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.