About

About Elmira College

small private collegehigh acceptance ratehealth sciences focussmall class sizestest optional admissions

Elmira College is a private liberal arts college in Elmira, NY, known for its small private college, high acceptance rate, and health sciences focus. With an acceptance rate of 96%, Elmira is accessible for most qualified applicants, typically enrolling around 172 students each year. Elmira is test optional; students who submit scores are typically admitted with SATs between 1118–1272, though many competitive applicants choose not to submit. Elmira offers merit scholarships regardless of financial need, with awards averaging $26,055 per year; the sticker price of $50,503 may look very different from what your family actually pays.

Admissions

Elmira College acceptance rate and admitted student profile

accessible for most qualified applicants

96%
Overall Accept Rate
1195
Median Admitted SAT
SATSubmitted score range: 1118 – 1272 (test optional)

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Application Strategy

Strategy tips for applying to Elmira College

The first 2 tips apply to all applicants. Your personalized strategy requires your profile — build your free list to unlock it.

Application Strategy
Elmira College requires all students to complete a National Community Service component as part of graduation, so highlight any volunteer work or community involvement prominently in your application to show you are already aligned with this core value.
Essay Strategy
Elmira has a deep historical connection to Mark Twain, who wrote several of his major works there, so if you have a genuine interest in literature, writing, or American history, weave that connection into your "Why Elmira" essay to show you have done real research beyond the basics.

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Financial Aid & Cost

What Elmira College actually costs your family

Average net prices by income bracket from College Scorecard data.

Family IncomeSticker PriceAvg. Net Cost / yr
0-30k~$51k/yr$17.4k
30k-48k~$51k/yr$16.6k
48k-75k~$51k/yr$19.9k
75k-110k~$51k/yr$23.3k
110k+~$51k/yr$27.4k

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Outcomes & Campus

Student outcomes and campus profile

64%
6-Year Graduation Rate
$49k
Median Earnings (6 yrs)
10:1
Student-Faculty Ratio
576
Undergrad Enrollment

Student Body

Student body composition

Race & Ethnicity

68%White
9%Hispanic
6%International
5%Black / African American
4%Unknown / Unreported
4%Two or More Races
3%Asian
0%American Indian / AK Native
Gender34% Men · 66% Women
Citizenship / Immigration Status94% Citizens and Immigrants · 6% International
Elmira, Elmira Acceptance Rate & Admissions | SpearMatch