Emerson vs. Hunter

Emerson College and CUNY Hunter College side by side on admissions, cost, and outcomes, from public data.

Emerson College
CUNY Hunter College

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 53.8%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1260.
  • Cheaper after aid: Hunter. Average net price is $4,431 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Hunter 46%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Hunter $48,800 (median).
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Key differences

Emerson College CUNY Hunter College
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Hunter53.8%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Emerson higher
Emerson1270-1420
Hunter1100-1420
Average net price
Hunter $49,001 less
Emerson$53,432
Hunter$4,431
In-state tuition
Hunter $49,674 less
Emerson$57,056
Hunter$7,382
Out-of-state tuition
Hunter $41,724 less
Emerson$57,056
Hunter$15,332
Graduation rate
Emerson +35 pts
Emerson81%
Hunter46%
Median earnings (10 years)
Emerson +$400
Emerson$49,200
Hunter$48,800

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

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  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Hunter 32,271
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Hunter 17,362
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Hunter 53.8%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Hunter 16.7%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Hunter 1260
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Hunter
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Hunter 3.7
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Hunter A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Hunter Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Hunter Low
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Hunter 1100-1420
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Hunter
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Hunter Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Hunter
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Hunter $7,382
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Hunter $15,332
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Hunter $11,832
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Hunter $4,431
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Hunter $9,755
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Hunter 87%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Hunter 46%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Hunter $48,800
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Hunter 56%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Hunter $11,548
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Hunter $119
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Hunter 14:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Hunter
    • Social Sciences (20%)
    • Psychology (16%)
    • English and Literature (13%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (9%)
    • Health Professions (9%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Hunter New York, NY
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Hunter Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Hunter 22,538
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Hunter Public 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Hunter #297

Comparable Facts

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

CUNY Hunter College is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (22,538 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at CUNY Hunter College are 43.4% lower than at Emerson College ($11,832 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 272.1% higher at Emerson than at CUNY Hunter College (about $41,724 more per year; $57,056 vs. $15,332).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at CUNY Hunter College than at Emerson College (87% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Emerson College students is 176.8% larger than aid received by CUNY Hunter College students ($26,997 vs. $9,755).

Admissions details

  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Hunter.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.03 higher than at Hunter (3.7).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 16.7% at Hunter.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, CUNY Hunter College graduates have a $11,952 lower median loan debt than Emerson graduates ($11,548 vs. $23,500).
  • Among borrowers, Hunter graduates have an estimated $123 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Emerson graduates ($119 vs. $242).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Hunter students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 56%).

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

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