Emerson vs. Cornell

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Cornell University in Ithaca, NY on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

Cornell University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (26,793 students vs. 5,263 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Emerson vs. Cornell Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, Emerson or Cornell? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at Cornell University than Emerson ($26,361 vs. $53,432).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Cornell University are 7.1% lower than at Emerson College ($19,428 vs. $20,920).
• Cornell University is 21.5% more expensive for in-state tuition than Emerson (about $12,258 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 21.5% higher at Cornell than at Emerson College (about $12,258 more per year; $69,314.00 vs. $57,056.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at Emerson College than at Cornell University (77% vs. 48%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by Cornell University students is 128.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($61,779 vs. $26,997).

Emerson vs. Cornell Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, Emerson or Cornell? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between Cornell and Emerson.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at Cornell University (1540) is 190 points higher than at Emerson (1350).
• Incoming Cornell students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (34 vs. 30 at Emerson).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 1270/1420; Cornell University 1500/1570.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: Emerson College 29/32; Cornell University 33/35.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: Emerson - Test optional; Cornell - Required.
• Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Cornell Jan 2, 2027.
• Accepted freshman Cornell students have a 0.17 point higher average high school GPA (3.9) than students at Emerson (3.73).
• Emerson has a higher acceptance rate (51.3%) than Cornell (8.8%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 63.9% at Cornell.

Emerson vs. Cornell Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for Emerson and Cornell? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• Cornell University's six-year graduation rate (93%) is higher than Emerson College's (81%).
• Graduates from Cornell University earn a median of about $49,200 more per year than Emerson graduates about ten years after starting college ($98,400 vs. $49,200), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, Cornell University graduates have a $11,500 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($12,000 vs. $23,500).
• Among borrowers, Cornell graduates have an estimated $118 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($124 vs. $242).
• More Cornell graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Emerson students, three years after graduation. (87% vs. 80%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.