Emerson vs. Drexel

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

Emerson College
Drexel University

At a glance

  • Harder to get into: Emerson (51.3% admitted vs 79.4%). Typical SAT 1350 vs 1340.
  • Cheaper after aid: Drexel. Average net price is $42,801 vs $53,432 at Emerson.
  • Graduation: Emerson 81% vs Drexel 68%.
  • Earnings 10 years out: Emerson $49,200 vs Drexel $77,400 (median).
See your own chances ->

Key differences

Emerson College Drexel University
Acceptance rate
Emerson more selective
Emerson51.3%
Drexel79.4%
SAT range (middle 50%)
Drexel higher
Emerson1270-1420
Drexel1240-1440
Average net price
Drexel $10,631 less
Emerson$53,432
Drexel$42,801
In-state tuition
Emerson $5,356 less
Emerson$57,056
Drexel$62,412
Out-of-state tuition
Emerson $5,356 less
Emerson$57,056
Drexel$62,412
Graduation rate
Emerson +13 pts
Emerson81%
Drexel68%
Median earnings (10 years)
Drexel +$28,200
Emerson$49,200
Drexel$77,400

Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard.

Admission calculator

Partner

Not sure you'd get in? Check your chances at Emerson and Drexel with Appily's free admission calculator.

Check my chances at Emerson Check my chances at Drexel
  • Applied
  • Emerson 10,378
  • Drexel 37,314
  • Admitted
  • Emerson 5,325
  • Drexel 29,642
  • Acceptance rate
  • Emerson 51.3%
  • Drexel 79.4%
  • Yield (share of admitted who enroll)
  • Emerson 15.5%
  • Drexel 8.1%
  • Typical SAT score
  • Emerson 1350
  • Drexel 1340
  • Typical ACT score
  • Emerson 30
  • Drexel 29
  • Average high school GPA
  • Emerson 3.73
  • Drexel 3.67
  • Typical high school grades
  • Emerson A-
  • Drexel A-
  • Admissions standards
  • Emerson Very High
  • Drexel Very High
  • Applicant competition
  • Emerson Low
  • Drexel
  • SAT range
  • Emerson 1270-1420
  • Drexel 1240-1440
  • ACT range
  • Emerson 29-32
  • Drexel 27-32
  • Submit test scores
  • Emerson Test optional
  • Drexel Test optional
  • Application deadline
  • Emerson Feb 20, 2027
  • Drexel Jan 15, 2027
  • Tuition (in state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Tuition (out of state)
  • Emerson $57,056
  • Drexel $62,412
  • Room & board
  • Emerson $20,920
  • Drexel $18,096
  • Average net price
  • Emerson $53,432
  • Drexel $42,801
  • Average grant aid
  • Emerson $26,997
  • Drexel $35,051
  • % receiving grant aid
  • Emerson 77%
  • Drexel 100%
  • Graduation rate
  • Emerson 81%
  • Drexel 68%
  • Median earnings (after 10 years)
  • Emerson $49,200
  • Drexel $77,400
  • Making student loan payments
  • Emerson 80%
  • Drexel 77%
  • Median student loan debt
  • Emerson $23,500
  • Drexel $26,243
  • Median loan payment
  • Emerson $242
  • Drexel $271
  • Student to faculty ratio
  • Emerson 14:1
  • Drexel 9:1
  • Popular majors
  • Emerson
    • Communication (33%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (29%)
    • English and Literature (19%)
    • Business (14%)
    • Health Professions (2%)
  • Drexel
    • Health Professions (22%)
    • Business (21%)
    • Engineering (18%)
    • Visual and Performing Arts (10%)
    • Computer and Information Sciences (7%)
  • Location
  • Emerson Boston, MA
  • Drexel Philadelphia, PA
  • Setting
  • Emerson Large City
  • Drexel Large City
  • Total enrollment
  • Emerson 5,263
  • Drexel 21,153
  • Type
  • Emerson Private 4 Year
  • Drexel Private 4 Year
  • National ranking
  • Emerson #208
  • Drexel #118

Comparable Facts

Compare Emerson College in Boston, MA with Drexel University in Philadelphia, PA on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the tables above.

Drexel University is larger than Emerson based on total student enrollment (21,153 students vs. 5,263 students).

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

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

Cost details

  • Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at Drexel University are 13.5% lower than at Emerson College ($18,096 vs. $20,920).
  • Out-of-state tuition is 9.4% higher at Drexel than at Emerson College (about $5,356 more per year; $62,412 vs. $57,056).
  • A larger share of students receive grant aid at Drexel University than at Emerson College (100% vs. 77%).
  • The average total grant financial aid received by Drexel University students is 29.8% larger than aid received by Emerson College students ($35,051 vs. $26,997).

Admissions details

  • Typical ACT composite is 1 point higher at Emerson than at Drexel (30 vs. 29, midpoint estimate).
  • SAT or ACT scores are test optional at both Emerson and Drexel.
  • Typical fall application deadline: Emerson Feb 20, 2027; Drexel Jan 15, 2027.
  • Enrolled first-year students at Emerson average a 3.73 high school GPA, 0.06 higher than at Drexel (3.67).
  • The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 15.5% at Emerson vs. 8.1% at Drexel.

Loans and repayment

  • Among federal student loan borrowers, Emerson College graduates have a $2,743 lower median loan debt than Drexel graduates ($23,500 vs. $26,243).
  • Among borrowers, Emerson graduates have an estimated $29 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than Drexel graduates ($242 vs. $271).
  • More Emerson graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former Drexel students, three years after graduation (80% vs. 77%).

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

Change schools

You can add up to two more colleges. Each one gets its own column.

Emerson College
Drexel University
Add a college Compare up to 4

Frequently compared to these colleges