AU vs. Emerson

American University and Emerson College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

American University
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 62%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1370.
  • Cheaper after aid: AU. Average net price is $39,676 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: AU 77% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: AU $64,800 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

American University Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
AU62%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
AU higher
AU1280-1460
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
AU $13,756 less
AU$39,676
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $1,715 less
AU$58,771
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $1,715 less
AU$58,771
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Emerson +4 pts
AU77%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
AU +$15,600
AU$64,800
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • AU 17,173
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • AU 10,640
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • AU 62%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • AU 15.6%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • AU 1370
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • AU 30
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • AU 3.7
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • AU A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • AU Very High
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • AU Low
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • AU 1280-1460
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • AU 29-32
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • AU Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • AU Jan 15, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • AU $58,771
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • AU $17,982
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • AU $39,676
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • AU $36,349
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • AU 67%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • AU 77%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • AU $64,800
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • AU 80%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • AU $24,250
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • AU $250
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • AU 10:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • AU
    • Social Sciences (43%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Communication (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
    • Psychology (3%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • AU Washington, DC
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • AU Large City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • AU 12,321
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • AU Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • AU #94
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

Compare American University in Washington, DC with Emerson College in Boston, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

American University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (12,321 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • American University is located in Washington, DC (Large City setting); Emerson College is in Boston, MA (Large City setting).
  • American University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: American University 10:1; Emerson College 14:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at American University are 14% lower than at Emerson College ($17,982 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 3% higher at AU than at Emerson College (about $1,715 more per year; $58,771 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at American University (77% vs. 67%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by American University students is 34.6% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($36,349 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Incoming AU students have the same typical ACT composite (midpoint estimate; 30) as students at Emerson (30).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both AU and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: AU Jan 15, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at AU (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.6% at AU vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $750 lower median loan debt than AU graduates ($23,500 vs. $24,250).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $8 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than AU graduates ($242 vs. $250).
  • More AU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 80%).

Sources: U.S. Department of Education, IPEDS and College Scorecard. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.

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