Elizabethtown College is a private residential liberal arts college in the borough of Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, serving 1,903 undergraduates. The College ranks #6 in Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs among Regional Universities in the North per US News 2026, first in Pennsylvania.
Elizabethtown College offers 58 undergraduate majors across engineering, business administration, occupational therapy, biology and computer science, plus two Master of Education programmes for working teachers. English is the sole medium of instruction, and Indian applicants can enter for Fall 2027 (August start) or Spring 2027 (January start) with merit awards decided at admission. The College sits in universities in USA that admit Indian students without a separate scholarship application.
- US News Regional Universities (North) 2026: #45 tied; #6 in Best Undergraduate Teaching
- Acceptance rate: 78%
- Primary intakes: Fall (August) and Spring (January)
- 2026-27 undergraduate tuition: $39,520 (₹37.35 Lakh)
- Merit scholarships: $17,500 to $30,000 per year for qualified international students
- International student share: 1% of undergraduates
Also Check: MS universities in USA
Elizabethtown College is an F-1 student visa-eligible institution offering 12 months of OPT, extended to 36 months for STEM majors such as engineering, computer science and biochemistry. Central Pennsylvania living costs run well below Philadelphia or New York, keeping 2026-27 direct attendance at $54,910 (₹51.89 Lakh) before scholarships. Indian applicants must submit financial proof covering the first-year balance after any awarded aid.
Exchange rate used: 1 USD = ₹94.5 as of September 2026
Admission Status: Open (Spring 2027 intake). Indian applicants targeting Spring 2027 must submit the completed application with financial and academic credentials by 15 November 2026. The next cycle, for Fall 2027 entry, closes 15 June 2027, with a priority merit-scholarship deadline of 1 November 2026 for international first-year candidates who wish to lock in maximum award consideration.
Table of Contents
- Popular Courses and Fees at Elizabethtown College 2027
- Elizabethtown College Admission 2027
- Elizabethtown College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
- Elizabethtown College Acceptance Rate 2027
- Elizabethtown College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
- Elizabethtown College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
- Elizabethtown College Scholarships 2027
- Elizabethtown College Rankings 2027
- Elizabethtown College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
- Elizabethtown College vs Peer Universities
- Elizabethtown College FAQs
Popular Courses and Fees at Elizabethtown College 2027
Elizabethtown College is undergraduate-focused, with a flat published undergraduate rate of $39,520 (₹37.35 Lakh) for the 2026-27 year and a comparable schedule expected for 2027-28. Bachelor programmes run four years across two 15-week semesters, and the two Master of Education programmes run part-time over roughly two years. Every programme below is taught in English.
Elizabethtown College Popular Undergraduate Courses 2027
The ten majors below draw the highest Indian applicant interest based on the College’s published programme list. STEM designation matters because it triggers the 24-month OPT extension after the base 12-month OPT.
| Program | Annual Tuition (USD) | Annual Tuition (₹ Lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| BS Engineering | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 75% to 85% (recommended) |
| BS Computer Science | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 75% to 85% (recommended) |
| BS Business Administration | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 80% (recommended) |
| BS Biology | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 80% (recommended) |
| BS Accounting | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 80% (recommended) |
| BS Biochemistry | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 75% to 85% (recommended) |
| BS Actuarial Science | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 75% to 85% (recommended) |
| BA Psychology | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 80% (recommended) |
| BS Environmental Science | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 70% to 80% (recommended) |
| BS Industrial and Systems Engineering | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Class 12 with 75% to 85% (recommended) |
[Source: Elizabethtown College Tuition and Financial Aid page 2026-27]
Elizabethtown College Master of Education Courses 2027
The graduate catalog is small and pedagogy-focused. Indian teachers already holding a bachelor’s are the primary audience for these two programmes, delivered part-time in hybrid format.
| Program | Total Fee (USD) | Total Fee (₹ Lakh) | Entry Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed Curriculum and Instruction | Confirm on official fee schedule | NA | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5 out of 10 (recommended) |
| M.Ed Special Education | Confirm on official fee schedule | NA | Bachelor’s with 55% or CGPA 5.5 out of 10 (recommended) |
Insider note: Indian applicants most often pick engineering, computer science and biochemistry at Elizabethtown College because these carry STEM OPT eligibility and stretch the post-study visa window to three years.
Read More: Elizabethtown College Courses and Fees Guide
Elizabethtown College Admission 2027
Elizabethtown College runs two intakes yearly, and Indian applicants overwhelmingly target the larger Fall (August) intake. Admission is decisions-based, not rolling, with fixed submission windows tied to each intake.
| Milestone | Date | Notes for Indian Applicants |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2027 application deadline | 15 November 2026 | January 2027 programme start |
| Fall 2027 merit-scholarship priority deadline | 1 November 2026 | Best-award consideration for first-year international candidates |
| Fall 2027 application deadline | 15 June 2027 | Final date for completed international file |
| Credential verification (WES or ECE) | Start 8 to 10 weeks before deadline | Report sent directly to Admissions |
| Fall 2027 programme start | August 2027 | Orientation runs in the week before classes |
[Source: Elizabethtown College International Apply page]
Planning note: Indian first-year candidates aiming for the highest Excelsior or Presidential merit award should treat 1 November 2026 as the working deadline for Fall 2027, not 15 June 2027, because scholarship review is tied to the completed application file at admission time.
Read More: Elizabethtown College Admissions Guide for Indian Students
Elizabethtown College Admission Requirements for Indian Applicants 2027
Elizabethtown College evaluates Indian applicants on academic record, English proficiency and financial capacity rather than on standardised US tests. SAT and ACT scores are optional for international candidates.
- Academic (Undergraduate): Class 12 result from a recognised Indian board, with 70% to 85% (recommended) depending on major. Engineering, computer science and actuarial science expect the higher end of the band.
- Academic (Master of Education): A four-year Indian bachelor’s degree with 55% or CGPA 5.5 out of 10 (recommended), teaching-related coursework preferred.
- English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 80 (0-120 legacy scale), IELTS 6.0, or Duolingo English Test 105. PTE Academic, Cambridge English, EIKEN and IESOL are also accepted.
- Credential evaluation: Course-by-course WES or ECE report sent directly to Admissions.
- Supporting documents: One counsellor or teacher letter of recommendation, personal essay and a financial affidavit covering first-year costs after scholarships.
Note: Indian applicants schooled entirely in English-medium CBSE, ICSE or state-board institutions may request a TOEFL or IELTS waiver by emailing the Office of International Students at international@etown.edu with a certified medium-of-instruction letter from the school principal.
Elizabethtown College Acceptance Rate 2027
Elizabethtown College maintains a broadly accessible admission profile with an acceptance rate of 78%. The figure is drawn from third-party admission trackers rather than an official College disclosure, so it should be treated as a directional estimate.
| Year | Acceptance Rate | Trend |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 (estimated) | 78% | Stable |
Indian applicants clearing the 70% Class 12 threshold and the TOEFL 80 or IELTS 6.0 minimum are strong on paper for admission. The competitive dimension is scholarship depth, not admission itself, and the merit review turns on Class 12 percentage plus supporting essays.
Reality check: A high acceptance rate does not translate to a full-tuition scholarship. Indian students should assume paying tuition minus a merit award of $17,500 to $23,000, not the full $39,520 sticker, and plan the balance from savings or an education loan.
Read More: Elizabethtown College Acceptance Rate
Elizabethtown College Fees and Cost of Living for Indian Students 2027
The total 2026-27 direct cost of attendance at Elizabethtown College is $54,910 (₹51.89 Lakh) before any scholarship, split across tuition, housing, meal plan and a comprehensive fee. Indian students should budget an additional $2,218 (₹2.10 Lakh) for books, personal expenses and transportation.
Elizabethtown College Tuition Fees for Indian Students 2026-27
| Component | USD | ₹ Lakh |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate tuition | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh |
| Housing | $7,100 | 6.71 Lakh |
| Food plan | $7,260 | 6.86 Lakh |
| Comprehensive fee | $1,030 | 0.97 Lakh |
| Annual direct cost | $54,910 | 51.89 Lakh |
[Source: Elizabethtown College Tuition and Financial Aid 2026-27]
Monthly Cost of Living in Elizabethtown for Indian Students
Living costs in the borough of Elizabethtown, roughly a 30-minute drive from Harrisburg and about 1.5 hours from Philadelphia, run well below big-city figures. Indian students typically remain on campus for the first two years.
| Category | Monthly USD (estimated) | Monthly ₹ (estimated) |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (on-campus, monthly share) | $720 | 68,040 |
| Food (campus meal plan) | $740 | 69,930 |
| Transportation | $50 | 4,725 |
| Books and supplies | $90 | 8,505 |
| Personal expenses | $120 | 11,340 |
| Total monthly | $1,720 | 1.62 Lakh |
| Total annual (12 months) | $20,640 | 19.50 Lakh |
[Source: Elizabethtown College Cost of Attendance 2026-27, borough-average estimates]
Insider note: Rent in the borough of Elizabethtown itself starts near $700 per month for a shared off-campus apartment, but international first-year students must live in College housing, so the meal plan and dorm rate are effectively fixed for year one.
Read More: Cost of Living in USA for Indian Students
Elizabethtown College Campus, Facilities and Student Life
Elizabethtown College sits on a 200-acre campus in the borough of Elizabethtown, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. The setting is small-town, safe and residential, with 24-hour dining, on-campus housing and free shuttle links to nearby Harrisburg and Lancaster.
- Location and transport: Under 20 minutes to Harrisburg International Airport by road; Amtrak Keystone service runs from Elizabethtown station to Philadelphia in about 1.5 hours.
- Housing: All first-year international students are guaranteed on-campus housing. Room and food plans together cost $14,360 (₹13.57 Lakh) for the 2026-27 year.
- Signature facility: The High Library, Bowers Writers House, on-campus Engineering laboratories and the Blue Jay athletics complex support the sciences and humanities alike.
- Indian community: International students make up 1% of the undergraduate body, with Indian representation concentrated in engineering, biochemistry and computer science majors.
- Career services: The Center for Student Success runs internship coordination, resume clinics and OPT-application workshops each semester.
What Indian students say: The campus is walkable end to end in under 15 minutes, faculty are accessible outside class hours, and the small international cohort means new arrivals get direct staff support rather than generic orientation. The trade-off is a quiet weekend routine compared with big-city campuses.
Elizabethtown College Scholarships 2027
Elizabethtown College names five merit awards open to Indian applicants, and the file is reviewed automatically when the admission application is complete, with no separate scholarship form required. Merit is judged on Class 12 result, essays and academic profile.
| Scholarship | Type | Award value (USD) | Eligibility | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Excelsior Scholarship | Merit | $23,000 per year | Highest academic marks among first-year applicants | 1 November 2026 (Fall 2027) |
| Presidential Scholarship | Merit | $22,500 per year | Academically superior first-year applicants | 1 November 2026 (Fall 2027) |
| Founders Scholarship | Merit | $20,000 per year | Academically strong first-year applicants | 1 November 2026 (Fall 2027) |
| Dean’s Scholarship | Merit | $17,500 per year | Select group of incoming first-year students | 1 November 2026 (Fall 2027) |
| Elizabethtown International Student Scholarship | International merit | $10,000 to $30,000 per year | Qualified international first-year applicants | Verify at official page |
[Source: Elizabethtown College Scholarships and Grants page]
Planning note: All named merit awards are four-year renewable and lock the value at the year-one rate provided the student keeps the stated academic minimum. Indian applicants should therefore treat the Excelsior or Presidential award as a ₹85 Lakh-plus tuition reduction across the full degree.
Read More: Elizabethtown College Scholarships Guide
Elizabethtown College Rankings 2027
Elizabethtown College is a regional US institution, indexed by US News in the Regional Universities North category rather than by the global research-focused rankings. The College’s strongest 2026 position is #6 in Best Undergraduate Teaching Programs, first among all Pennsylvania institutions.
| Ranking Body | Latest Edition | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| US News Best Regional Universities (North) | 2026: #45 (tied) | Fourth in Pennsylvania |
| US News Best Undergraduate Teaching (Regional North) | 2026: #6 (tied) | First in Pennsylvania |
| US News Best Value Schools (Regional North) | 2026: #27 | Fifth in Pennsylvania |
| US News Best Undergraduate Engineering (No Doctorate) | 2026: #46 (tied) | Fourth in Pennsylvania |
| QS World University Rankings 2027 | Not ranked | Regional college outside the global research index |
| Times Higher Education World 2026 | Not ranked | Regional college outside the global research index |
| ARWU Shanghai 2026 | Not ranked | Regional college outside the global research index |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026, QS, THE, ARWU]
Key insight: Indian F-1 applicants and Indian employers value US News regional standing plus specific subject rankings. Elizabethtown College’s engineering position at #46 among no-doctorate programmes translates well for Indian STEM OPT candidates targeting employers who filter on US News data.
Read More: Elizabethtown College Rankings Analysis
Elizabethtown College Placements and Career Outcomes 2027
Elizabethtown College reports that a high share of graduates are in employment or graduate school within six months of the degree, supported by the Center for Student Success and dedicated employer partnerships in Pennsylvania and neighbouring states.
- Employed or in graduate school within 6 months: Reported at above 95% across recent classes (institution-disclosed range)
- Median starting salary: Not disclosed by the College; national market median for private liberal arts graduates sits near $55,000 (₹51.98 Lakh) per year
- Top hiring sectors: Engineering services, healthcare and occupational therapy, K-12 education, actuarial and financial services, biotechnology
- Post-study work runway: 12 months of OPT for non-STEM majors, 36 months total for STEM majors including engineering, computer science and biochemistry
- Career support: Resume clinics, employer treks to Harrisburg and Philadelphia, and OPT-application workshops each semester
Insider note: Indian graduates from Elizabethtown College engineering and computer science majors most often route into Pennsylvania and New Jersey employers first, then move to larger metros after year one, because employer relationships are strongest within the two-state region.
Elizabethtown College vs Peer Universities
The natural peer set is other private, teaching-intensive Pennsylvania regional institutions plus one cross-state benchmark. All figures are for Indian first-year international applicants seeking a bachelor’s degree.
| University | US News Regional 2026 | Avg Annual UG Tuition (USD) | Avg Annual UG Tuition (₹ Lakh) | One-line Differentiator |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabethtown College | #45 (North) | $39,520 | 37.35 Lakh | Top-10 Regional North teaching, engineering with STEM OPT |
| Susquehanna University | #22 (North; verify) | $54,320 (estimated) | 51.33 Lakh | Business analytics and creative writing focus |
| Muhlenberg College | National LAC (verify) | $60,340 (estimated) | 57.02 Lakh | Performing arts and pre-med |
| Lebanon Valley College | #43 (North; verify) | $50,700 (estimated) | 47.91 Lakh | Physical therapy and music |
[Source: US News Best Colleges 2026, institution tuition pages]
Elizabethtown College stands out on two data-backed lines. Its Excelsior award and Founders award lower effective tuition to the $16,520 to $19,520 band, and the engineering programme carries STEM OPT, uncommon in this regional peer group.
Elizabethtown College fits an Indian student who wants a small, teaching-first campus, an engineering or biochemistry major with STEM OPT eligibility, and merit-based tuition relief without a separate scholarship application. Total four-year investment after an Excelsior or Presidential award lands near ₹1.30 Crore, set against a US private-graduate market median near $55,000 (₹51.98 Lakh) per year. The F-1 pathway with 36-month STEM OPT is the single strongest post-study lever for Indian STEM graduates who plan to work in the United States before returning or transitioning to H-1B.
Elizabethtown College is not the right pick for Indian applicants seeking a research-heavy MS or PhD, or a QS or Times Higher Education top-200 badge for future recruiter filters. Those candidates should shortlist a Pennsylvania flagship such as Penn State University or a national research university outside the Regional Universities index.
Elizabethtown College FAQs
Ques. Which Elizabethtown College majors qualify for the 24-month STEM OPT extension?
Ans. Engineering, computer science, computer engineering, biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, physics, environmental science, actuarial science and industrial and systems engineering at Elizabethtown College are designated STEM under the current US Department of Homeland Security list. Indian graduates in these majors get the 12-month base OPT plus a 24-month STEM extension, taking total US work authorisation to 36 months before an H-1B decision is needed.
Ques. Does Elizabethtown College accept the Common Application from Indian students?
Ans. Yes. Indian first-year applicants can apply to Elizabethtown College through the Common Application or through the free Elizabethtown-hosted application, and both routes carry identical review weight. Transfer applicants use the direct College transfer portal instead. Applying through either route requires the same set of documents: Class 12 transcript, one recommendation, an essay, English test scores and a financial affidavit.
Ques. How much financial proof is required for the Elizabethtown College I-20?
Ans. Elizabethtown College asks Indian applicants to certify funds covering the first-year direct cost minus any scholarship awarded. For 2026-27 this is roughly $54,910 (₹51.89 Lakh) minus, for example, a $23,000 Excelsior award, leaving a required proof of around $31,910 (₹30.15 Lakh). Bank statements or an approved education loan sanction letter both qualify for the I-20.
Ques. Can Indian students work on campus at Elizabethtown College during studies?
Ans. Yes. F-1 regulations permit up to 20 hours per week of on-campus employment during term time and 40 hours during breaks. Elizabethtown College hires international students in the library, dining services, tutoring centre and academic departments, with hourly pay at or above the Pennsylvania minimum wage. On-campus work does not require separate work authorisation once the F-1 status is active.
Ques. Which credential evaluation does Elizabethtown College accept for Indian transcripts?
Ans. Elizabethtown College accepts course-by-course evaluations from World Education Services (WES) and Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). Indian applicants should request the report sent directly to Admissions rather than through the applicant, and start the process 8 to 10 weeks before the application deadline because Indian board result verification runs to the state or central board and can be slow during peak May and June cycles.
Ques. Is a counsellor recommendation mandatory for Indian first-year applicants at Elizabethtown College?
Ans. Yes. Elizabethtown College requires exactly one letter of recommendation for first-year applicants, and it may come from a school counsellor, advisor, principal or subject teacher. The letter should be on institutional letterhead, submitted directly through the Common Application portal or emailed by the recommender to admissions@etown.edu. Additional letters are permitted but not required.
Ques. What is the Elizabethtown College application fee for international students?
Ans. Elizabethtown College waives the application fee for all first-year and transfer applicants, including Indian international candidates, under its standing no-fee application policy. There is no separate charge for the merit-scholarship review either, because scholarship decisions travel with the admission decision. Indian applicants should therefore submit both Common App and Elizabethtown-hosted applications only through official channels to keep them free.
Ques. Does Elizabethtown College waive TOEFL or IELTS for Indian applicants schooled in English?
Ans. Yes, on a case-by-case basis. Indian applicants whose entire secondary schooling was in English-medium CBSE, ICSE or state-board institutions can request a waiver by emailing international@etown.edu with a certified medium-of-instruction letter from the school principal. The Office of International Students reviews each request individually, and applicants should submit the request well before the Fall 2027 or Spring 2027 application deadline.
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Elizabethtown College Scholarships
| Name | Scholarship Per Student | Level of Study | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| QS Connect Master’s Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 4.7 L/Yr$5,000 | Level Of StudyMaster | TypeMerit-Based | |
| BL Mandhana Scholarships | Scholarship per student₹ 9.5 L/Yr$10,000 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Go Clean Scholarship | Scholarship per student₹ 3.3 L/Yr$3,500 | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Business Administration Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Novus Biological Scholarship Program | Scholarship per student₹ 1.4 L/Yr$1,500 | Level Of StudyAssociate | TypeMerit-Based | |
| Washington DC Scholarships | Scholarship per studentVariable Amount | Level Of StudyBachelor | TypeMerit-Based |
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Elizabethtown College Admissions
Application Portal: https://www.etown.edu/admissions/apply/index.aspx
Early Action Deadlines
Important Date: November1 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)Regular Decision Deadlines
Important Date: January15 (Application deadline)Important Date: April1 (Application results)
Elizabethtown College Exam Scores
| Exams | Avg. Score | Min Score | Max. Score | %Submitted' |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | ||||
| SAT | 1175 | 1070 | 1280 | 72 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| Evidence-Based Reading and Writing | 590 | 540 | 640 | - |
| Mathematics | 585 | 530 | 640 | - |
| ACT | 25 | 22 | 27 | 22 |
| Check Detailed Score | ||||
| English | 25 | 22 | 27 | - |
| Mathematics | 25 | 22 | 27 | - |
Attendance Cost
The table shows average yearly cost of attendance for international students. Amount may vary with the course opted, nature of accommodation, and personal spending habits of a candidate.Check Program wise Fees
Elizabethtown College Accreditations
Faculty
| Total Faculty | Full Time | Part Time | Graduate Assistants |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2588 | 1717 | 871 | - |



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