Emerson vs. Caldwell University

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

Emerson College
Caldwell University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 71.3%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1250.
  • Cheaper after aid: Caldwell University. Average net price is $21,875 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Caldwell University 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Caldwell University $46,800 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Caldwell University
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Caldwell University71.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Caldwell University1130-1370
Average net price
Caldwell University $31,557 less
Emerson$53,432
Caldwell University$21,875
In-state tuition
Caldwell University $16,208 less
Emerson$57,056
Caldwell University$40,848
Out-of-state tuition
Caldwell University $16,208 less
Emerson$57,056
Caldwell University$40,848
Graduation rate
Emerson +23 pts
Emerson81%
Caldwell University58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$2,400
Emerson$49,200
Caldwell University$46,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Caldwell University 9,364
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Caldwell University 6,680
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Caldwell University 71.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Caldwell University 8.5%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Caldwell University 1250
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Caldwell University
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Caldwell University 3.3
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Caldwell University B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Caldwell University Difficult
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Caldwell University Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Caldwell University 1130-1370
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Caldwell University
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Caldwell University Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Caldwell University
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Caldwell University $40,848
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Caldwell University $40,848
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Caldwell University $14,188
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Caldwell University $21,875
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Caldwell University $32,340
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Caldwell University 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Caldwell University 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Caldwell University $46,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Caldwell University 50%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Caldwell University $25,750
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Caldwell University $266
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Caldwell University 12:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Caldwell University
    • Business (20%)
    • Psychology (19%)
    • Social Sciences (11%)
    • Education (9%)
    • Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting (9%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Caldwell University Caldwell, NJ
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Caldwell University Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Caldwell University 2,005
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Caldwell University Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Caldwell University #439

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Caldwell University based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 2,005 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Caldwell University is in Caldwell, NJ (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Caldwell University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Caldwell University 12:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Caldwell University are 32.2% lower than at Emerson College ($14,188 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 39.7% higher at Emerson than at Caldwell University (about $16,208 more per year; $57,056 vs. $40,848).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Caldwell University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Caldwell University students is 19.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($32,340 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Caldwell University.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.43 higher than at Caldwell University (3.3).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 8.5% at Caldwell University.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,250 lower median loan debt than Caldwell University graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,750).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $24 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Caldwell University graduates ($242 vs. $266).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Caldwell University students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 50%).

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

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