BU vs. Emerson

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

Boston University
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: BU (11.1% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1480 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: BU. Average net price is $24,420 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: BU 85% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: BU $72,000 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Boston University Emerson College
Acceptance rate
BU more selective
BU11.1%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
BU higher
BU1420-1530
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
BU $29,012 less
BU$24,420
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $11,046 less
BU$68,102
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $11,046 less
BU$68,102
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
BU +4 pts
BU85%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
BU +$22,800
BU$72,000
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • BU 78,769
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • BU 8,749
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • BU 11.1%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • BU 37.4%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • BU 1480
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • BU 33
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • BU 3.79
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • BU A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • BU Exceptional
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • BU Very High
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • BU 1420-1530
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • BU 32-34
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • BU Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • BU Jan 4, 2027
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • BU $68,102
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • BU $19,020
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • BU $24,420
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • BU $61,848
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • BU 49%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • BU 85%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • BU $72,000
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • BU 82%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • BU $27,000
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • BU $279
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • BU 10:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • BU
    • Business (21%)
    • Social Sciences (16%)
    • Communication (15%)
    • Health Professions (8%)
    • Engineering (7%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • BU Boston, MA
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • BU Large City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • BU 37,737
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • BU Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • BU #73
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

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

Boston University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (37,737 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Boston University are 9.1% lower than at Emerson College ($19,020 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.4% higher at BU than at Emerson College (about $11,046 more per year; $68,102 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Boston University (77% vs. 49%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Boston University students is 129.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($61,848 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at BU than at Emerson (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both BU and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: BU Jan 4, 2027; Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at BU average a 3.79 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 37.4% at BU vs. 15.5% at Emerson.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $3,500 lower median loan debt than BU graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than BU graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More BU graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (82% 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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