Emerson vs. Columbia

Emerson College and Columbia University in the City of New York side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
Columbia University in the City of New York

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Columbia (4% admitted vs 51.3%). Typical SAT 1550 vs 1350.
  • Cheaper after aid: Columbia. Average net price is $22,520 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Columbia 93%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Columbia $107,600 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College Columbia University in the City of New York
Acceptance rate
Columbia more selective
Emerson51.3%
Columbia4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Columbia higher
Emerson1270-1420
Columbia1510-1580
Average net price
Columbia $30,912 less
Emerson$53,432
Columbia$22,520
In-state tuition
Emerson $14,789 less
Emerson$57,056
Columbia$71,845
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $14,789 less
Emerson$57,056
Columbia$71,845
Graduation rate
Columbia +12 pts
Emerson81%
Columbia93%
Median earnings (10 years)
Columbia +$58,400
Emerson$49,200
Columbia$107,600

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Columbia 60,115
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Columbia 2,400
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Columbia 4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Columbia 64.9%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Columbia 1550
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Columbia 34
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Columbia 3.91
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Columbia A
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Columbia Elite
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Columbia Extreme
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Columbia 1510-1580
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Columbia 34-35
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Columbia Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Columbia Jan 1, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Columbia $71,845
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Columbia $17,580
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Columbia $22,520
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Columbia $67,010
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Columbia 52%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Columbia 93%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Columbia $107,600
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Columbia 76%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Columbia $21,500
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Columbia $222
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Columbia 6:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Columbia
    • Social Sciences (26%)
    • Engineering (12%)
    • English and Literature (7%)
    • History (7%)
    • Health Professions (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Columbia New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Columbia Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Columbia 35,173
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Columbia Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Columbia #22

Comparable Facts

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

Columbia University in the City of New York is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (35,173 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

  • Emerson College is located in Boston, MA (Large City setting); Columbia University in the City of New York is in New York, NY (Large City setting).
  • Emerson College is a private, non-profit 4-year institution. Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, non-profit 4-year institution.
  • Student-to-faculty ratio: Emerson College 14:1; Columbia University in the City of New York 6:1.

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Columbia University in the City of New York are 16% lower than at Emerson College ($17,580 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 25.9% higher at Columbia than at Emerson College (about $14,789 more per year; $71,845 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Columbia University in the City of New York (77% vs. 52%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Columbia University in the City of New York students is 148.2% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($67,010 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 4 points higher at Columbia than at Emerson (34 vs. 30, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Columbia.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Columbia Jan 1, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Columbia average a 3.91 high school GPA, 0.18 higher than at Emerson (3.73).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 64.9% at Columbia.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Columbia University in the City of New York graduates have a $2,000 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($21,500 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Columbia graduates have an estimated $20 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($222 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Columbia students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 76%).

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

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