Emerson vs. Colgate

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

Emerson College
Colgate University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Colgate (13.9% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1490 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Colgate. Average net price is $28,736 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Colgate 92%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Colgate $75,300 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Colgate University
Acceptance rate
Colgate more selective
Emerson51.3%
Colgate13.9%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Colgate higher
Emerson1270-1420
Colgate1430-1540
Average net price
Colgate $24,696 less
Emerson$53,432
Colgate$28,736
In-state tuition
Emerson $13,250 less
Emerson$57,056
Colgate$70,306
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $13,250 less
Emerson$57,056
Colgate$70,306
Graduation rate
Colgate +11 pts
Emerson81%
Colgate92%
Median earnings (10 years)
Colgate +$26,100
Emerson$49,200
Colgate$75,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Colgate 20,682
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Colgate 2,871
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Colgate 13.9%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Colgate 28.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Colgate 1490
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Colgate 33
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Colgate 3.77
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Colgate A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Colgate Exceptional
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Colgate Very High
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Colgate 1430-1540
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Colgate 33-34
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Colgate Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Colgate Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Colgate $70,306
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Colgate $17,610
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Colgate $28,736
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Colgate $58,334
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Colgate 43%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Colgate 92%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Colgate $75,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Colgate 86%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Colgate $16,125
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Colgate $166
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Colgate 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Colgate
    • Social Sciences (33%)
    • English and Literature (11%)
    • Biology (10%)
    • Foreign Languages (7%)
    • Philosophy and Religious Studies (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Colgate Hamilton, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Colgate Distant Town
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Colgate 3,211
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Colgate Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Colgate #30

Comparable Facts

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

Emerson College is larger than Colgate based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 3,211 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Colgate University is in Hamilton, NY (Distant Town setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Colgate University is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Colgate University 9:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Colgate University are 15.8% lower than at Emerson College ($17,610 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 23.2% higher at Colgate than at Emerson College (about $13,250 more per year; $70,306 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Colgate University (77% vs. 43%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Colgate University students is 116.1% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($58,334 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 3 points higher at Colgate than at Emerson (33 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Colgate.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Colgate Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Colgate average a 3.77 high school GPA, 0.04 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 28.7% at Colgate.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Colgate University graduates have a $7,375 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($16,125 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Colgate graduates have an estimated $76 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($166 vs. $242).
  • More Colgate graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation (86% 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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