Emerson vs. Elms College

Emerson College and College of Our Lady of the Elms side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
College of Our Lady of the Elms

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 85.3%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1240.
  • Cheaper after aid: Elms College. Average net price is $19,870 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Elms College 58%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Elms College $46,300 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College College of Our Lady of the Elms
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Elms College85.3%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Elms College1150-1320
Average net price
Elms College $33,562 less
Emerson$53,432
Elms College$19,870
In-state tuition
Elms College $13,731 less
Emerson$57,056
Elms College$43,325
Out-of-state tuition
Elms College $13,731 less
Emerson$57,056
Elms College$43,325
Graduation rate
Emerson +23 pts
Emerson81%
Elms College58%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$2,900
Emerson$49,200
Elms College$46,300

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Elms College 1,269
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Elms College 1,082
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Elms College 85.3%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Elms College 10.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Elms College 1240
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Elms College
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Elms College 3.42
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Elms College B+
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Elms College Challenging
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Elms College
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Elms College 1150-1320
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Elms College
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Elms College Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Elms College
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Elms College $43,325
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Elms College $43,325
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Elms College $15,605
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Elms College $19,870
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Elms College $33,794
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Elms College 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Elms College 58%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Elms College $46,300
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Elms College 61%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Elms College $25,000
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Elms College $258
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Elms College 11:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Elms College
    • Health Professions (49%)
    • Business (12%)
    • Human Services (9%)
    • History (5%)
    • General Studies (4%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Elms College Chicopee, MA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Elms College Large Suburban
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Elms College 1,268
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Elms College Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Elms College #359

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with College of Our Lady of the Elms in Chicopee, MA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Emerson College is larger than Elms College based on total student enrollment (5,263 students vs. 1,268 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); College of Our Lady of the Elms is in Chicopee, MA (Large Suburban setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. College of Our Lady of the Elms is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; College of Our Lady of the Elms 11:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at College of Our Lady of the Elms are 25.4% lower than at Emerson College ($15,605 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 31.7% higher at Emerson than at College of Our Lady of the Elms (about $13,731 more per year; $57,056 vs. $43,325).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at College of Our Lady of the Elms than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by College of Our Lady of the Elms students is 25.2% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($33,794 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Elms College.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.31 higher than at Elms College (3.42).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 10.9% at Elms College.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $1,500 lower median loan debt than Elms College graduates ($23,500 vs. $25,000).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $16 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Elms College graduates ($242 vs. $258).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Elms College students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 61%).

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

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