Brandeis University vs. Emerson

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

Brandeis University
Emerson College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Brandeis University (40.5% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1460 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Brandeis University. Average net price is $43,550 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Brandeis University 91% vs Emerson 81%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Brandeis University $66,700 vs Emerson $49,200 (median).
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Key differences

Brandeis University Emerson College
Acceptance rate
Brandeis University more selective
Brandeis University40.5%
Emerson51.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Brandeis University higher
Brandeis University1390-1520
Emerson1270-1420
Average net price
Brandeis University $9,882 less
Brandeis University$43,550
Emerson$53,432
In-state tuition
Emerson $11,024 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Emerson$57,056
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $11,024 less
Brandeis University$68,080
Emerson$57,056
Graduation rate
Brandeis University +10 pts
Brandeis University91%
Emerson81%
Median earnings (10 years)
Brandeis University +$17,500
Brandeis University$66,700
Emerson$49,200

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Brandeis University 10,462
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Admitted
  • Brandeis University 4,237
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Acceptance rate
  • Brandeis University 40.5%
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Brandeis University 17.3%
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Brandeis University 1460
  • Emerson 1350
  • Typical ACT score
  • Brandeis University 32
  • Emerson 30
  • Average high school GPA
  • Brandeis University 3.84
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Typical high school grades
  • Brandeis University A-
  • Emerson A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Brandeis University Exceptional
  • Emerson Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Brandeis University Low
  • Emerson Low
  • SAT range
  • Brandeis University 1390-1520
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • ACT range
  • Brandeis University 31-34
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Brandeis University Test optional
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Brandeis University
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Brandeis University $68,080
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Room & board
  • Brandeis University $19,944
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Average net price
  • Brandeis University $43,550
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Average grant aid
  • Brandeis University $42,841
  • Emerson $26,997
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Brandeis University 62%
  • Emerson 77%
  • Graduation rate
  • Brandeis University 91%
  • Emerson 81%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Brandeis University $66,700
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Making student loan payments
  • Brandeis University 82%
  • Emerson 80%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Brandeis University $27,000
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Brandeis University $279
  • Emerson $242
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Brandeis University 10:1
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Brandeis University
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Biology (13%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
    • General Studies (8%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (6%)
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Location
  • Brandeis University Waltham, MA
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Setting
  • Brandeis University Small City
  • Emerson Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Brandeis University 5,205
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Type
  • Brandeis University Private 4 Year
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Brandeis University #91
  • Emerson #208

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Brandeis University based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 5,205 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Brandeis University are 4.7% lower than at Emerson College ($19,944 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 19.3% higher at Brandeis University than at Emerson College (about $11,024 more per year; $68,080 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Brandeis University (77% vs. 62%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Brandeis University students is 58.7% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($42,841 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 2 points higher at Brandeis University than at Emerson (32 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Brandeis University and Emerson.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Brandeis University average a 3.84 high school GPA, 0.11 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 17.3% at Brandeis University 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 Brandeis University graduates ($23,500 vs. $27,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $37 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Brandeis University graduates ($242 vs. $279).
  • More Brandeis University 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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