Emerson vs. Barnard

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

Emerson College
Barnard College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Barnard (8.8% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1520 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Barnard. Average net price is $26,407 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Barnard 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Barnard $66,900 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Barnard College
Acceptance rate
Barnard more selective
Emerson51.3%
Barnard8.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Barnard higher
Emerson1270-1420
Barnard1470-1560
Average net price
Barnard $27,025 less
Emerson$53,432
Barnard$26,407
In-state tuition
Emerson $12,832 less
Emerson$57,056
Barnard$69,888
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $12,832 less
Emerson$57,056
Barnard$69,888
Graduation rate
Barnard +11 pts
Emerson81%
Barnard92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Barnard +$17,700
Emerson$49,200
Barnard$66,900

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Barnard 11,836
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Barnard 1,046
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Barnard 8.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Barnard 68.6%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Barnard 1520
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Barnard 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Barnard 3.85
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Barnard A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Barnard Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Barnard Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Barnard 1470-1560
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Barnard 32-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Barnard Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Barnard Jan 4, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Barnard $69,888
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Barnard $21,714
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Barnard $26,407
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Barnard $63,131
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Barnard 33%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Barnard 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Barnard $66,900
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Barnard 89%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Barnard $17,847
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Barnard $184
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Barnard 10:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Barnard
    • Social Sciences (27%)
    • English and Literature (12%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (11%)
    • Psychology (11%)
    • Ethnic Studies (9%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Barnard New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Barnard Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Barnard 3,487
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Barnard Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Barnard #35

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Barnard based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,487 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Emerson College are 3.7% lower than at Barnard College ($20,920 vs. $21,714).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 22.5% higher at Barnard than at Emerson College (about $12,832 more per year; $69,888 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Barnard College (77% vs. 33%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Barnard College students is 133.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($63,131 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Barnard than at Emerson (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Barnard.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Barnard Jan 4, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Barnard average a 3.85 high school GPA, 0.12 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 68.6% at Barnard.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Barnard College graduates have a $5,653 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($17,847 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Barnard graduates have an estimated $58 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($184 vs. $242).
  • More Barnard graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (89% 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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